Author: Bryan Richardson

Re:Verse passage – Luke 4:14-30 (day three)

And he closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

The Christ was long-expected, and now all eyes turned to him expectantly. Not all knew or believed him to be the Christ, but the expectancy remained. Curiosity was high, and so was skepticism. Ears were listening, but ears were also filtering. Silence invited Jesus to speak, and silence also gave space for the formulation of opposing arguments. This is exactly the dichotomy which Simeon had prophesied: this child is destined to cause the rising of many in Israel, and this child is destined to cause the falling of many in Israel. Loved and hated, welcomed and scorned, praised and cursed, embraced and pierced. Here is Jesus. Who is it you see?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 2:4-7; 3:23, 31-34, 38 (day three)

Joseph also went up from Galilee…

Joseph seems to get pushed to the margins of the nativity story. From where he stood, he surely didn’t feel marginalized. Stunned by news of his betrothed’s pregnancy, visited by an angel in that troubled hour, facilitating a grueling journey with the pregnant Mary, visited again by an angel warning of a murderous Herod, undertook a perilous flight to Egypt, living as an immigrant for several years, making a return to his homeland, finding himself in yet another conversation with heaven providing geographical guidance for the continued safety of the child. Is this the portrait of a minor character? An extra on the set of a Biblical epic? When you look at this person’s experience, you see the indispensability of his life. What awaits as you look at others with the same curiosity?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 2:21-38 (day three)

“…as it is written in the Law of the Lord…”

Something here transcends the kind of law and grace dichotomy that understands “law” merely as a shackle broken by “grace.” The Law, as Jesus made clear, still exists as that which has proceeded from the mouth of God, its steadfastness likened to the steadfastness of the heavens and the earth. Jesus’s nativity, his childhood, his adolescence, his adult years, his customs, his relations, his disciplines, his observances, his activities of daily living – in short, the whole of his life – was steeped in the Law of God. He believed it, observed it, obeyed it, loved it. And he was accused of breaking it. These accusations were one more way of suffering for him: he who loved the law more deeply than any person on earth ever had was vilified as a blasphemer.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:57-80 (day three)

And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.”

Like other births preceded by heavenly visitations in scripture, much mystery surrounded the prophecy of the boy’s life and work. But the parents were certain about the name. Clearly Zechariah and Elizabeth had discussed the angelic appearance and divine directive thoroughly (despite Zechariah’s temporary aphonia). The family, however, challenged their insistence on the name, and there arose a disagreement. Family turmoil generates distress like little else can (which is why holiday gatherings can sometimes feel so demoralizing and worrisome). The squabbling seems to have continued even after Zechariah backed Elizabeth in her determination to use the name John; astonishment was not a sign that all was well. Then came Zechariah’s holy utterance (the Benedictus). The human voice speaking heaven’s language will turn wrangling into wonder.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:26-38 (day three)

[Mary] was very perplexed at [the angel’s] statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

Of course Mary was disconcerted. In Mary’s world, no one used “highly favored” as a mere formality, a cliché. This was not “dearly beloved, we are gathered here” or “world’s best cup of coffee.” The angel referred to Mary as highly favored precisely because the God of heaven and earth felt deep approval towards her. Mary could sense that an experience of an otherworldly kind had enveloped her. She knew not what it meant, nor what was in store, but she discerned the profound presence of safety and goodwill around her. In other words, when the angel called her highly favored, she felt the high favor. She didn’t know what came next, but she understood that she was going to be alright because God favored her.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:5-17 (day three)

He will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The description the angel gives of the boy’s future life and work appears congruent with the oath-taking, asceticism-valuing, solitude-pursuing men and women called Nazarites. Samson is perhaps the most sensational example of this religious class, famous (or infamous) as much for his lapses from his vows as for his status as a Nazarite in the first place. St. Paul also took a Nazarite oath, referencing his vows and the cutting of his long hair at the end of his oath period. But John would be a Nazarite among Nazarites. Jesus called him the greatest among those born of women. John experienced the full sound and fury and loneliness of holy living – believing, doubting, praying, preaching, wondering. His life’s message: get yourself ready to receive the Christ.