By Pastor Don Schatz

Paying Attention

“And he [Jesus] rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.  They eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.”
Luke 4:20  New Revised Standard Version

What captures your attention?  Who can capture your attention?  Have you ever listened, spellbound, to someone speaking?  Has a sermon or homily ever enthralled you in this way?  Jesus had read the Scripture.  Otherwise, he hadn’t spoken yet.  Reading Scripture is common enough.  Or is it?  I have heard people read the Scripture in such a way that as they did, the Word came alive.  Jesus read.  Then he sat.  “The eyes of all were fixed on him.”

Those ancient eyes are a life lesson for us.  Fix your eyes upon Jesus.  Listen to him.  Follow him.  Heed his Word in the Scriptures and they will guide you.  They will teach you.  They will inform you.  They will reveal the love of God Almighty for you.  Jesus is the evidence of the light of God’s love for you.  Jesus is that Light and Word and Love.  For you.

When others speak harmful words, fix your eyes on Jesus.  When others seek to influence you to walk a wrong path, fix your eyes on Jesus.  When your own inner voice challenges your sense of self-worth and importance, fix our eyes on Jesus.  When others try to change you into their image, fix your eyes on Jesus.  Only Jesus. Don’t Wait

Guess what?  Where your eyes are fixed, your ears follow.  Fix your eyes on Jesus.  Your ears will hear the Word of the Lord.  Enjoy the fellowship of others whose eyes and ears are fixed on Jesus.  Who will look to Jesus, hear his Word, because they see that your eyes are fixed on Jesus?  Jesus, Light of the World, shines on you.  By his Light you see, you know, you are warmed to the core of your soul with divinity’s eternal love.  For you.  Fix your eyes on Jesus.  Today.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado