Let Him Close The Book

Luke 4:14-21, “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”


He walked into the temple as just another man in the eyes of those around, but as He read these verses with such power and authority, everyone knew something about Him was different. Such love and peace, but yet such power and authority no man had shown in this fashion before. As He read of the promise of the one day coming Messiah, something within me oddly stirred, as if maybe He just might come today. “O how joyous the day of the mighty coming of this Messiah will be!” I thought as I listened to the Man continue to read. Every eye was somehow on Him, and nobody moved a muscle as He read. Then it happened. He closed the book. I had seen many others close this book before, but as the pages rustled together something inside of me jumped. “There is a strange peace in His words, and a power in His presence. But the way He closed that book… something is about to happen.” I whispered to myself. Then taking His seat, He spoke again as He had everyone almost spellbound. “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” He said. “What does He mean?” I immediately began to wonder. “He is declaring that the Savior has come today. Not only is He stopping there though, He is declaring to be Him!” are the whispers that go around the room. “He closed the book in such a way that no man could look anywhere else but to Him. He cut away all other wonders of religion as He closed the book. He left no other option to a Mighty King coming. He closed the book, and closed out all other means of hope other than Himself. Will I take Him at His word? Will I allow Him to close the book of my religion, and allow Him to be the only chance of Hope today?” I think to myself as I humbly ask… will you?