I wonder if Jesus was worried about what the people would think of him making such a claim. I wonder if his heart was beating more rapidly or if he had butterflies in his stomach. I wonder what expressions he saw on all the faces around Him that day. Was it acceptance and understanding? Anger, rejection? Confusion, disbelief, indifference, or boredom? I wonder what he saw in their eyes and how it felt to be looked at by them. I wonder if he had any idea of where all this would take him.

“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.” (Luke 4:14-21)

This isn’t simply just Jesus getting up to read the assigned passage for the day—It isn’t like one of us looking at the worship schedule and saying, ‘Oh, it’s my turn to read the Old Testament lesson today.’ According to Luke, Jesus “found the place” where these specific verses were on the scroll—And He intentionally chose them.

Jesus is up to something here—Or maybe I should say something is up in him. The Spirit of the Lord is upon him, the same Spirit that descended upon him at his baptism, that filled and led him in the wilderness, and with which he returned to Galilee. Something is stirring within him. Join us this week at Sedona United Methodist Church as Rev. Fred Mast brings an inspired message entitled “I’ll Have What He’s Having”.

Sunday mornings we enter the spirit of worship at 9:30 a.m. featuring meaningful times of prayer, joyous music, and life messages that will help move you closer in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Our worship is upbeat and lively, and spirit filled! Immediately following worship, you are encouraged and invited to stay and join us in our Fellowship Hall for the friendliest and best fellowship time anywhere!

Sedona UMC offers several weekly book and bible studies: Tuesday’s @ 1:45pm Adult Studies at The Gathering Place in West Sedona (Revelations Study); and Thursday’s  Women’s Bible Study at 9:45am (Priscilla Shriver’s – “The Armor of God”). We offer so many great missions, ministries, and fellowship opportunities at Sedona UMC—Visit our website at us on www.sedonaumc.org and “Like” us on Facebook.

We would love to pray for you! Prayer requests may be submitted online or by calling us at 928-282-1780.  We are conveniently located at 110 Indian Cliffs Road off the Back O’Beyond roundabout on Route 179 in Sedona. All are welcome at Sedona UMC—Come and grow with us!