City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:16–21

Reflection

“Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus’ statement is bold and audacious. The Jewish people of Jesus’ day understood Isaiah 61:1-2 as a description of the coming Messiah. So, they knew Jesus was saying, “I am the Messiah. The Son of God.”

It’s popular these days to lump Jesus in with a group of other so-called “good religious teachers” like Buddha, Confucius, Muhammad, or Lao Tzu. It’s so seemingly inclusive and universal. It says, “See, I’m not so narrow as to assume my religion is the only right one; your narrative is equally valid.” Our culture of expressive individualism is quick to assure us in such inclusiveness. No one is offended; everyone is happy.

There is one problem, though. Jesus refuses to play along: “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Neither Buddha, Confucius, Muhammad, or Lao Tzu ever claimed to be God. Whether they or what they taught was “good” can be debated, but it is undisputed none laid claim to deity.

That claim was reserved for Jesus alone, and it is why He could say, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (see John 14:6). Lao Tzu taught people to conform their life to the way; Jesus said He was the Way.

Here is the other thing: if Jesus wasn’t who He said He was, He was not “good.” There is nothing “good” about lying about your identity. It is one of the worst things you can do. Men who do so are called con men; women who do so are called Anna Delvey, but neither are called “good.” Their lives are lies, and they mislead those around them. They are fraudsters, grifters, but they are not good.

The decision about who Jesus is is a watershed, and on neither side is the option that Jesus was merely a “good teacher.” He did not leave that option open but not because He isn’t inclusive—He offered salvation to all who came to Him. He didn’t leave that option open because He demands every person make a decision about who He says He is.

Application

And all that leads to this: For a Christian to suggest there are many paths to God is not inclusive but destructive. It is to call Him a liar on whom you rely for your salvation. It is to cut off the branch on which you sit.

Further, to suggest there are many paths to God is to reassure those who are on the wrong path to continue on their way. It is to exclude them from a salvation Jesus offers to all who come to Him.

Prayer

Lord, help us to “pay much closer attention to what we have heard [from You], lest we drift away from it.” (Hebrews 2:1). Amen.