Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth
April 23, 2019
Commentary
This portion of Scripture could be titled – “Hometown Boy Returns Home.” The scene is in the synagogue at Nazareth. Visualize our Lord back in His home town in the synagogue where he had worshiped as a lad (vv. 14-17). The news had spread rapidly about the miracle worker from Nazareth; so His family and people from the community were anxious to see and hear Him. Jesus was asked to read the Scripture and to give a sermon. He chose Isaiah 61:1-2 as His text and then boldly declares that this was written about Him. Some have referred to this as Jesus’ purpose statement:
Evangelism "to preach the gospel to the poor” (v. 18). – The idea is to bring the good news with a message intended to cheer up the hearer. To the paraplegic Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven” (Matt. 9:2).Encouragement "to heal the broken hearted” (v. 18). He is the only one who can work on the inside where the broken heart beats and make people whole again.Edification "to preach deliverance to the captives and restore sight to the blind” (v. 18). Once a person is evangelized and encouraged they need to be edified or built up.Equipped "to set at liberty them that are bruised” (v. 18). The basic piece of equipment for liberty is assurance for forgiveness and the fact that we have been pardoned.Exaltation "To preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (v. 19). The crowd was fascinated at His teaching as every eye was fastened on Him (v. 20). Jesus’ words plainly stated that “Today this Scripture is being fulfilled in your hearing” (v. 21).
Application
The cross of Christ needs to be lifted up. My testimony and praise of what Christ has done for me can be a convincing tool for reaching the lost.
Luke 4:14– 21 (NET)
14 Then Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the surrounding countryside. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by all.
16 Now Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. 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 release to the captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to tell them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled even as you heard it being read.”
Illustration: How the John Hopkins School Was Founded
In the spring of 1871, a young man picked up a book and read twenty-one words that had a profound effect on his future. The twenty-one words this medical student read helped him to become the most famous physician of his generation. He organized the world famous John Hopkins School of Medicine. He was knighted by the King of England. His name was Sir William Osler. Here are the twenty-one words that he read from Thomas Carlyle that helped him lead a life free from worry: “Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.” (Dale Carnegie, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living).