When Your Rejected By Family and Friends.

 (Luke 4: 14-30)

Rejection is one thing, rejection by your family your friends and your neighbours is a whole other level. Some people today experienced rejection because of their faith in the Lord. Some even get cast out of their family just because they won’t to be a follower Jesus and the teachings of the bible.

People did that very same thing to the Lord himself when he first began his ministry. He went to his hometown the place where he grew up and they literally tried to throw him off of a Cliff. Now why did they do that why did that happen to him and why does that sort of thing still happen today. 

What I'd like for us to do is to look at that passage and see if we can gain some insight into what happened to and we are going to begin were we left off last time.

If you remember this chapter began with the account of Jesus' temptation. So these are the events that occur immediately after that temptation.

The following passage is going to be divided between the events in Galilee, which is a province or region, and Nazareth, a city within the region of Galilee. 

Before we examine the events that are about to transpire it's worth providing some background information about this region. If you've ever examined a map in the back of your Bible, you may have noticed that Israel was divided into three parts during the time of Christ. The southernmost part was Judah, where Jerusalem and the temple were located. North of Judah was Samaria, and further north was Galilee, the most northern part of ancient Israel. It extended about 50 miles North and South and 25 miles East and West.

According to Josephus, who once governed this region, there were 204 towns in Galilee. An interesting aspect of Galilee according to Josephus was that its residents were less conservative compared to those in the southern regions. They were more open to new ideas and innovations. This region was where Jesus originated, and after His temptation, He went back there. Let’s see what happens.

14: Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15: He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.16: He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17: and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

(Luke 4: 14-17)

The Scriptures mention that He went in the power of the Holy Spirit, which likely indicates that He performed miracles upon reaching Galilee.

What's also significant is that news of Him rapidly spread throughout the surrounding region. This is crucial, and I'll come back to it later. His popularity immediately soared as word of Him reached the entire region. In verse 15, we learn that He taught in their synagogues, and He was highly regarded by all.

Some background on Israel's worship is essential at this point. The core of Jewish worship was the temple, and there was only one temple, located in Jerusalem. People went there to offer sacrifices. However, outside Jerusalem, synagogues were established. These synagogues were established in any place where at least ten Jewish families lived. They served as local centers for prayer, scripture reading, and teaching. 

The early Christian church later would adopt a similar pattern in their gatherings. The synagogue service was straightforward, involving three elements: prayer, scripture reading, and teaching. There was no elaborate worship service as we see today. The early church followed this simple format, only later adding singing to it, usually without musical accompaniment. In essence, they continued with the Jewish model of  prayers, scripture reading, and teaching, creating a simple yet effective format for their local gatherings and absolutely achievable in among a small community of as few as  10 families or more.

So, Jesus visited the synagogues in Galilee and taught there. The point to note is that at this stage, He was well-known and had gained some popularity in the region. He was primarily known as a teacher, and though He it seems likely he may have performed miracles at this point, but that is only implied in the text so it must a degree remains uncertain. What is clear is that by this stage, He had become widely recognized, as verse 14 states that news of Him spread throughout the entire region."

At this point in the narrative, Jesus' primary focus was on teaching. His teaching was so compelling and intriguing that news of it spread throughout the entire region of Galilee, which consisted of around 240 small villages. This widespread impact was no small feat.

Now Jesus makes his way to Nazareth, his hometown. In verse 16, we read that 'He came to Nazareth where He was brought up.' I wonder how much they had already heard about his burgeoning popularity as a teacher. That's what verses 14 and 15 emphasize. While Nazareth was a part of Galilee, it's quite plausible that news of his reputation had reached his hometown, which is significant to the unfolding of events.

Verse 16 mentions that it was Jesus's custom to attend the local synagogue on the Sabbath. He stood up to read from the scriptures. This detail struck me as I was studying this passage, because this tells me that even Jesus thought it was important to meet with other believers regularly. So, what’s your excuse?

, 'Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is,'

Hebrews 10:25

This verse also emphasises the importance of church attendance. 

So, it was Jesus's custom to attend the synagogue every Saturday to hear the teachings of the scripture. So, if you wish to follow Christ's example closely, attending church services once a week to hear scriptural teachings aligns with that custom. Let's recognize that this verse, at least, sheds light on an aspect of Jesus's own spiritual routine.

Furthermore, in verse 17, it's worth noting that it says he 'stood up to read,' as he was about to read the scriptures. Later in the passage, we will see that he 'sat down and taught.' This was a typical practice of the time, standing to read and sitting down to teach. This tradition has even influenced academic titles, such as the 'chair of philosophy' or 'chair of English, in our modern universities.  In the ancient world, teachers would always sit to instruct their students.

Now, in the synagogue, Jesus reads from the book of Isaiah. In verse 17, it is recorded, 'And the book of Isaiah was handed to Him.' As He opens the book, He specifically finds and reads from Isaiah 61:1-2 and Isaiah 58:6. 

18: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,19: to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

20: Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 

These verses are then quoted in verses 18 and 19 of our passage. Importantly, these verses were and are recognized as referring to the Messiah. The congregation on that day, including Jesus himself, was well aware of this Messianic association. So, as Jesus stood in the synagogue and read these verses, everyone present understood that He was making a profound Messianic declaration." 'For the Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor; he has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.' 

This verse outlines the mission and ministry of the Messiah. His purpose is made clear, He is to preach, heal, proclaim, recover, set at liberty, and proclaim again.

It's intriguing to notice how these actions mentioned I this Isaiah passage align with specific ministry we Jesus doing. Such as ministering to the poor, the broken-hearted, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed.

It illustrates that when the Messiah comes, his ministry will be to reach the poor and the bound, those who are captives, those with physical infirmities, the oppressed, and grant them a fresh start. 

For the poor, it is the preaching of the gospel leading to salvation that offers a fresh beginning.

For the broken-hearted, the Messiah promises healing, allowing them to start anew.

For the captives and the blind, sight is granted, providing them with a fresh beginning. 

Lastly, for the oppressed, liberation leads to a fresh start.

It's also worth noting that his ministry encompasses the entire person, addressing their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. The Lord's concern goes beyond a single aspect; it embraces the whole individual, recognizing the valuable and fixable nature of the broken.

Now, the plot thickens as we move on to verse 20, where Jesus closes the book, returns it to the attendant, and sits down.

As I mentioned earlier, sitting indicated teaching. All eyes in the synagogue were fixed on Him. He was widely recognized as a teacher, and the anticipation among the crowd was palpable. They had heard Him read a Messianic passage, and they were eager to hear His interpretation and exposition.

In verse 21, Jesus begins to do that.

21: He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22: All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. 23: Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” 24: “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.

(Luke 4: 21-24)

Here, Jesus boldly declares that He is the Messiah. Up until this point, the people knew Him as a teacher, a popular one at that. But in this moment, He unveils His true identity. However, the initial response of the audience is a mix of marvel and disbelief. 

Verse 22 describes, Some marvelled at the gracious words which he spoke, some are astonished by His eloquence and teaching ability, recognizing that He had captivated them. However, they encountered a stumbling block,  they couldn't reconcile the familiar Jesus, who grew up among them and was known as the son of Joseph, the carpenter, with the Messiah He now claimed to be. Despite the admiration of His speech, doubt lingered."

They had known Him as a teacher and a skilled carpenter, Joseph's son. Yet, He was now boldly proclaiming Himself as the Messiah. They sat there in stunned silence, torn between admiration for His words and the disbelief that He could be the Messiah. 

In verse 23, Jesus anticipates their thoughts and says, ‘It’s like the proverb, "Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do it hear to prove what you say. He is aware of their skepticism and is essentially saying, 'I know you're expecting me to work miracles here, just as you've heard I did in Capernaum.'

In verse 24, He reinforces the principle that 'a prophet is not accepted in his own country.' He knows that they are not accepting Him as the Messiah. This phenomenon is not unique to this instance; many stories abound of people who have shared the Gospel with strangers, leading them to Christ, but struggled to win their own family members. They faced a level of skepticism and resistance that seemed insurmountable, just as Jesus did.

Furthermore, Jesus provides vivid illustrations of this principle in the verses that follow.

25: I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26: Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.” 

(Luke 4: 25-27)

In verses 25 and 26. He mentions the many widows in Israel during the time of Elijah but notes that Elijah was sent only to one, a widow, a non-Israelite, from Zarephath. This is a reference to Gentile territory outside of Israel. He continues in verse 27, stating that there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha, yet Elisha cleansed only Naaman, a Syrian. Syria was again outside of Israel, therefore again among the Gentiles.  It’s also worth noticing that even here in the earliest days of his ministry Jesus emphasizes that He will not be limited to ministering to the people of Israel, which likely further fuelled their anger and rejection of Him.

28: All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29: They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30: But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

(Luke 4: 28-30)

The section closes by telling us that 'all those in the synagogue when they heard these things were filled with wrath.' They had already rejected Him as the Messiah, and now He seemed to be underscoring that He would minister to Gentiles, a concept that infuriated them.

The depth of their rage is revealed here. They rose up, thrust Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of a hill, intending to throw Him off the precipice. Their anger was so intense that it had escalated to a potential act of violence, a stark reminder of how unchecked anger can lead to extreme consequences, even murder." The passage closes by saying Jesus passes through the crowd and goes on  His way. 

There are two possible interpretations of this event, and I'm not entirely sure which one is the correct one. Some believe that He simply slipped through the crowd naturally, while others suggest that it was a supernatural disappearance. 

Nonetheless, the main point is that after revealing His identity, they tried to kill Him. 

He will now leave Nazareth and head to Capernaum, which is situated at the northern tip of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum would become His ministry new headquarters. While others might return to Jerusalem, His primary ministry was in Galilee, particularly in Capernaum, not Nazareth, because there He was rejected.

OK, let's summarize the key takeaway from this passage. When Jesus proclaimed Himself as the Messiah and His intention to minister to the Gentiles, the people in His hometown rejected Him. But why? What prompted their rejection?

Let me offer my suggestion. This passage, in not so many words, throws light on who their perceptions of Jesus was. To them, He was merely the son of Joseph, and He was known as good and wise a teacher, but they could accept nothing be nothing beyond that. Herein lies the central message we need to grasp people often reject new ideas because of their preconceived notions. They also reject the Lord based on preconceived ideas about who He should be.

This phenomenon extends beyond religious beliefs. For instance, those raised in some Christian traditions who are taught the necessity of specific sacraments for salvation. When they encounter the idea of salvation through grace and faith alone, it contradicts their established beliefs.

So still today preconceived ideas, ingrained from early on, can hinder people from accepting new concepts, truths, or spiritual revelations. It serves as a reminder for all of us to reflect on our own preconceived ideas and how they influence our acceptance or rejection of new perspectives, truths, or even divine messages or relevations.

A preconceived idea can be a significant roadblock to understanding, acceptance, and personal growth. It applies not only to our spiritual beliefs but also to various aspects of life.

When we share our faith with others, it's often the Lord they're rejecting, not us. Similarly, when visitors attend our church, they come with their preconceived notions of what a church should be like. If the service doesn't match their expectations, they might never return. Different churches have different approaches, and preconceived ideas can sometimes hinder the acceptance of new ways of worship.

What works in one church doesn't always work in another, someone can have a meaningful experience in one church but when they go to another doesn't understand that and their preconceived idea prevents them from accepting a new you got it very valuable lesson spiritually and otherwise? 

I would like to close today with a story that I believe encapsulates this principle perfectly. Robert Fulton, known for inventing the steam engine, once presented his idea to Napoleon. Napoleon's response was, "You telling me that you are going to make a ship sail against the wind by lighting a bonfire below the deck? Open your mind, Napoleon said, to accept the idea that you can make ships without sails in nonsense!" He couldn't accept the idea because his preconceived notions stood in the way. Just like this story, preconceived ideas can often be a barrier to embracing new and transformative concepts.