Tables & Sinners – Inauguration Day

Luke 4:16-44 // What was Jesus’ agenda here on earth? His motivation was always His identity before activity. It is His identity that gives His activity authority. Spend time with God. Knowing that we are children of God and spending time with the Father will align our motivations with God’s heart. There is so much in our lives that try to pull our attention and distort our view of Jesus. Our number purpose is to operate out of our identity in God. That relationship will guide every action of our lives.

Reflection Questions

Re-read Luke 4:14-30.

"This message was, and remains, shocking. Jesus' claim to be reaching out with healing to all people, though itself a vital Jewish idea, was not what most first-century Jews wanted or expected...Jesus coupled it with severe warnings to his own countrymen. Unless they could see that this was the time for their God to be gracious, unless they abandoned their futile dreams of a military victory over their national enemies, they would suffer defeat themselves at every level - military, political and theological."

- NT Wright

• In your own life where have you been shocked by Jesus' desire to welcome in the outcast?

• Are you able to show compassion to those different from you?

• Have you tried to define Jesus on your terms so that you have lost sight of who he is?

• Are there any areas of your life where the spirit is inviting you to see where you've lost sight of what Jesus is doing?

• Spend some time praying for one another for an awareness of where Jesus might be inviting you to boldly step out in compassion for those around you.