Gospel in Art: Jesus unrolled the scroll and read

Bible Reading by Eduard Lebrecht Pistorius, 1831 © Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, On loan from City of Amsterdam (A van der Hoop Bequest)

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 9 January 2025
Luke 4:14-22a

At that time: Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

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. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll, and found the place where it was written,

'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, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.'

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. And he began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.' And all spoke well of him and marvelled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.

Reflection on the painting

Many of us have favourite passages of Scripture that we return to time and again. When holding a Bible, we may instinctively open it to these cherished texts because they have resonated with us in the past and continue to offer guidance and inspiration. These passages nourish our spirit, offering encouragement or challenging us when needed. Jesus himself seemed to have favourite passages of Scripture, often quoting from the psalms, which clearly spoke deeply to him. In this morning's gospel reading, we see another example of this when Jesus returns to the synagogue in Nazareth, his hometown, after beginning his public ministry. Handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus is moved by the Spirit to select a specific passage, one that perfectly articulated the mission he was about to undertake.

The words of Isaiah indeed gave expression to Jesus' purpose: to proclaim God's good news to those most in need. He would bring a message of hope to the poor, liberation to the captive, sight to the blind (whether physically or spiritually) and freedom to the oppressed. These words not only spoke to Jesus' mission but continue to speak to us today. We all, in some way, find ourselves within these categories of need. Whether we are burdened by poverty of spirit, trapped by personal struggles, blinded by uncertainty, or weighed down by life's challenges, we need the gracious word of God to lift us. Jesus assures us that this transformative grace, is available to us not in some distant future, but today.

Our painting depicts a domestic scene centered around a family engaged in reading the Bible, reflecting the 19th-century emphasis on piety and family prayer. The father wearing reading glasses is perched over the bible whilst reading. At the table, an elderly woman sits with closed eyes, in prayer and contemplation, while a young girl kneels at her feet, indicating reverence and attentiveness. Standing beside the father is a young woman listening intently, and to her left, a young man is depicted yawning, perhaps suggesting fatigue or a lack of engagement. Through the window on the left, a boy peers inside, adding an element of curiosity. The words of the bible are attracting those beyond the family. The room is furnished with a spinning wheel on the left and a cat near a laundry basket on the right, enhancing the depiction of a typical 19th-century household. A clock and a rifle hang on the wall, further contributing to the period setting.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-4-14-22a-2025/