Blog

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I was trying to calm my fast beating heart, but it was no use. It was almost time.

We were lined up, ready to go, with me in the front leading the way. I could hear people mingling about. Loud conversations buzzed through the stands. And then, the music started. We waited for our cue and then at just the right moment, we took to the floor.

Running out onto the court was something you’ll just never forget. The feeling of anxiousness and excitement flowed through each of us. There was a sense of pride and determination in us as we were ready to show everyone what we were made of.

Just thinking back to it makes me giggle a little. We tried to look tough, serious and intimidating. I mean, I’m 5 foot 2 inches give or take a little… what could possibly be intimidating about that?

But in those few minutes of warm-up, it was like you were preparing everyone for the show they were about to see. We were the Cord-Charlotte Indians. Everything we had been through had prepared us for this very moment, and it was time to get down to business.

The music ended. Two opponents took to the center of the court with the referee. The whistle was blown and the ball thrown into the air… it was game time.

As we continue our study of Luke, we find Jesus going into the synagogue on the Sabbath. This was the place where they worshipped and read the Holy scriptures aloud.

“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.”

Luke 4:17-20

Jesus was in a temple where he grew up. Everyone knew He was a great teacher and very wise concerning the scriptures. But He was about to reveal to them something even better. The book of Isaiah was handed to Him. This was no coincidence, my friends. This was all part of the Lord’s plan that day.

He opened it and read. This scripture wasn’t simply about the prophet Isaiah, it was about the coming Messiah. And do you see the references in the scripture? “The spirit is upon me”, and “appointed me to preach the gospel”, “sent me to heal” and it continues.

When He closed that book and rolled up the scroll, it’s like the music stopped and He was center court ready for tip-off. And then, the whistle was blown.

“And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

Game time.

Jesus just claimed He was the Messiah.

“Here comes the boom!”

This is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. This moment, right here, this was the very moment He had been waiting for. This was the moment God had appointed for Him to share in the local temple that He, Jesus, the one they had watch grow up, was the Son of God.

He could have said no. He could have given up before He ever started. But yet, He continued.

Do you realize, there was a moment in your life where you chose to follow Jesus, ran out onto the court of life ready to show what God had prepared you for? And you, too, had a tip-off moment where you had to put God’s plan for your life, the prep work that had been done, all of it, into action?

Whatever God is calling you to do, do it. Don’t wait. Obey the Lord and you won’t be sorry.

It’s Game Time.