Thursday after Epiphany

We love him, because he first loved us.

God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son. He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight. He will live; and Sheba’s gold will be given to him. Men will pray for him continually. They will bless him all day long. His name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed.

Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area. He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”4:19 Isaiah 61:1-2 He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” All testified about him and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”