Redeemed From Oppression and Violence

From today’s reading…

God knows what oppression, violence, life, and even death are because He sent His Son to experience it all with us, before us, and for us.

But He did not send His Son to carry this burden alone. In today’s reading from Luke 4 we see “Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him,” (Luke 4:14) returning to Galilee, speaking, teaching, and praying.

From where did He return? The desert, where He had been for 40 days enduring temptations from the devil himself. What did He do just before His desert retreat? He was baptized and received the Holy Spirit as seen by all in attendance.

Today may be the day you begin your desert retreat. It may be the day you are baptized.

It may be the day you step out onto the stage to teach the truth.

It may be the day you give your life because you are a threat to those who failed their time in the desert…or chose to skip it altogether.

You never know what tomorrow might bring, which is why you must…

Stay the course. Keep the faith. Endure.

Now go sell something.