Devotional for the week of January 26, 2025

Third Sunday after Epiphany: Praised by Everyone

Jesus’ ministry began in triumph. He had endured the testing in the wilderness and emerged victorious, ready to begin his good work in the community. One of the first places he stopped was in the synagogues, teaching in such a way that he “was praised by everyone” (Luke 4:15). One day, upon reading from Isaiah, Jesus revealed himself as the one who would bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, recover the sight of people who were blind, free those who were oppressed, and proclaim the Lord’s favor. Alleluia!

As followers of this very same Jesus, we know that God is still at work accomplishing these glorious tasks in our communities. We also know people who long for us, Jesus’ followers full of the Holy Spirit, to bring good news to the poor. How are we, members of the body of Christ, called to be in such a deep relationship with our neighbors that they share with us their greatest needs? Have we established such profound trust that they are willing to allow us to accompany them as God produces solutions sufficient to their greatest crises?

We have the most exhilarating mission—to proclaim the Lord’s favor in the neighborhood! We get to remind people that they are not forgotten. How we do this in our own contexts is as various as the number of churches represented around the world. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to Christian ministry. But in all cases, we are called to invite everyone to praise Jesus and live into his mission of freedom.

As we gather each week for word and sacrament, may we be filled with the Holy Spirit as we pray that Jesus’ fame will spread into “all the surrounding country” (Luke 4:14), as our neighbors experience God’s good work through each of us. Holy Spirit, reveal to us new ways to accompany our neighbors in this Epiphany season.