Opening the Scrolls
This song is quite inspiring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIahc83Kvp4
I thought this morning of the
connection between an action at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and at the end
of the world. I do not think the connection is imaginary.
Luke 4:14-21.
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the
power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching
in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of
the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled
up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone
in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He
began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is
fulfilled in your hearing.”
Notice the scroll of Isaiah was handed to him. The event is
repeated in Revelation 5:1ff
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a
scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud
voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the
earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I
wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or
look inside. 5 Then one of the elders
said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of
David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it
had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four
living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which
are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took
the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living
creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a
harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers
of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new
song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign[b] on the earth.”
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign[b] on the earth.”
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