READING: Numbers 34-36, Luke 4
Jesus, as was His habit, went to the synagogue. There, He stood up to read the Word to the people gathered. Then, He sat down, taking a position that was customary for teachers in the first century. Apparently, the crowd then waited to hear Him with great anticipation: “And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him” (Luke 4:20). Scholars suggest that these words were a literary device to focus the reader’s attention on what Jesus was about to say—and I would agree—but surely the words also tell us something about Jesus and His listeners.
Jesus’ audience would soon turn against Him, but they first sat in rapt attention for some time. Their eyes focused on Him, and their ears turned toward Him. They intensely looked at Him, waiting to hear what He had to say. And, at least at the beginning of Jesus’ teachings, they were “amazed by the gracious words that came from his mouth” (Luke 4:22). They had never heard anyone teach like He did. Again, though, the people soon grew angry at Jesus when He spoke of rejection by the Hebrews and grace toward the Gentiles.
Still, I’m forced to wonder today if I turn my full, undivided, focused attention to Jesus when I turn to God’s Word and listen to Him. I want to approach the Word with great intensity and expectation, waiting with eagerness for God to speak to me through His Word and His Spirit. I want my eyes and ears fixed on Him.
PRAYER: “Do that in my life, Lord. Turn me to listen to You with undivided attention.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Deuteronomy 1-3, Psalm 36, Luke 5