“Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.”
– Luke 4:14-15
Dear People of St. David’s,
If you think back on your school years, perhaps you remember an English literature teacher drilling into you the need to develop a “thesis statement” in your school essays. A thesis statement is meant to develop an argument for your essay within the introduction of your paper, giving anyone reading or grading it a clear idea of what the paper is all about. However, what if I told you that we find “thesis statements” not only in high school papers but also in Scripture! In fact, in this week’s Gospel reading we encounter a passage that has famously been called Jesus’ thesis statement! I think taking a closer look at Jesus’ “thesis” might help us reflect more fully on our own mission here at St. David’s.
In the weeks following Christmas, we have heard and read about the beginnings of Jesus’ life. Sticking with the metaphor of a HS English paper, these last few weeks have been the Gospel writers “introductory paragraph.” Over these weeks, we have heard from Luke that the boy Jesus spent time in the Temple and that Jesus was baptized by John. This week we reach the end of the introductory paragraph and it’s time for Jesus to “develop his thesis statement” – to begin his public ministry and tell everyone what his life will be all about. What does our Gospel reading [Luke 4:14-21] say? Take a minute to read it for yourself.
We see that Jesus reads a scroll in the synagogue and quotes Isaiah 61, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” With all the eyes fixed on him, Jesus claims that this scripture has now been fulfilled! This is Jesus’ thesis statement for his own life and ministry! This gives us a clear picture of what Jesus is all about: good news, release, recovery, liberation, proclamation of God’s love and favor. And of course, we see Jesus do all these things throughout his ministry.
What might it look like for us to develop thesis statements for our own lives? How might we do so in a way that is synchronous with Jesus’ thesis statement and his call to us as disciples? I leave these questions for the reader to fully ponder, for we all must answer it for ourselves. However, I will say that here at St. David’s we have developed a thesis statement of our own, “We are a church on a mission to know God in Jesus Christ and make Christ known to others.” How do we practically join together to know God in Christ and make Christ known to others? From what I’ve seen around St. David’s, it looks a lot like joining Jesus in bringing good news to the poor, proclaiming release to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, letting the oppressed go free, and proclaiming the Lord’s love and favor. This is holy work; may we continue in it together!
Blessings,
Elliot VanHoy
Pastoral Associate
Published on January 23, 2025