LOC – 024 – Jesus Teaches in Nazareth, His Home Town

Lesson Objectives:

God’s plan will not be thwarted!

Jesus reveals Himself as the promised Messiah by reading from Isaiah.

Jesus faces rejection in His hometown.

Jesus is an expert in crowd (mob) control!

Lesson Commentary

Read Luke 4:16-30

In the last lesson, we saw Jesus finally arrive back in Galilee after officially starting His ministry in Judea and then stopping in Samaria on His way back to Galilee. Luke notes that Jesus has been preaching in other communities in Galilee and word has gotten back to Nazareth about what He is doing. Now Jesus goes back to His hometown for a visit. Jesus has already experienced some rejection in Jerusalem. Now Luke is going to show Him being rejected in His hometown. The culmination of this rejection will be on the Cross, in less than two and a half years.

When Jesus was in the wilderness, the devil had Him on the defensive. Now, Luke shows that Jesus takes the offensive and straightens out the evil. Have you ever wanted to get even or get revenge on some evil done to you? Let’s do some “Walking With Jesus” and see how we can get even with the devil.

The Scene

Lk. 4:16 – Nazareth is fifteen miles south and west of Tiberias and twenty-two miles south and east of the modern city of Haifa. We will see in a little bit that Jesus made the people of Nazareth glad twice: glad to see Him come, and glad to see Him go. Unfortunately, they do not realize what they were doing to themselves by their attitude. Have you ever gotten an “attitude” that actually got you into trouble when you later realized that you were wrong? Jesus is not a rebel. He lives and works within Jewish tradition. Like any proper (orthodox) Jew, He attends synagogue on every Sabbath. In fact, He often reads the scripture and teaches. Synagogue worship usually includes two prayers, two readings (one from the Torah and one from the Prophets), and an exhortation. Praise and worship are also often included as a part of synagogue worship. It is then concluded with a priestly blessing upon the people. (This forms the pattern for worship in many churches today.) The worship in the synagogue has seven readers every Sabbath: the first a priest, the second a Levite, and the other five are Israelites of that synagogue. Jesus, having started to gather a following, has become a popular speaker at many synagogues. This gives Him much opportunity to preach His Gospel.

Map showing the route from Cana to Nazareth, a trip of less than 10 miles. The Sea of Galilee is seen on the right hand side to show approximation to other locations. Map courtesy of Logos Bible Atlas software.

Lk. 4:17 – Jesus is called upon to read from the prophets as He has probably done many times before in this very synagogue. The book will be a scroll and He can scroll down and choose the part that He wants to read. So Jesus unrolls the scroll to the text in Isaiah that we now have labeled as chapter sixty-one, verse one, and the first part of verse two. (See Isaiah 61:1-2) He is really going to open the Scriptures up to the people in the synagogue in a real spiritual way. Unlike before when He may have read and someone else taught or He did not deal with a passage with such strong messianic implications, now He clearly seeks a passage that refers to who He is and what He is about!

Lk. 4:18 – He offers only one comment in exhortation, but it summarizes who He is and what He is doing. His authority rests in the fact that the Spirit of God is upon Him. His mission is to release the captives from sin and restore sight to the spiritually blind. You will notice that He leaves out “to heal” the “broken hearted”. Luke only uses the word “heal” for physical ailments. The “Spirit of the Lord” is a comment to the measure with which God has qualified Him for the job at hand. Think back to the events around His baptism. He has the Spirit in full measure, not in part like the Old Testament prophets. He is also “anointed to preach,” which is a reference to being commissioned to do a job. This means He is fit for the task and called to do it.

The work to which Jesus is called is that of a prophet. He is to preach. He is here to proclaim good news to those who are “poor in spirit,” not those who are physically poor. “Freedom” is for those who are imprisoned in their sins, not those who are in jail because of their sins. Jesus offers us freedom from sin. “Sight” is for those who are spiritually blind to the ways of God. This is especially important to us in the church. Take a personal inventory of your spiritual eyesight to see if you are honestly walking with Jesus. The “oppressed” are those who are weighed down in the cares and problems of this world. (You will want to remember these thoughts when we review the Sermon on the Mount in a few weeks.) Sermon Starter: Jesus is a Preacher, Physician, and Redeemer. He proclaims salvation, heals those in need of spiritual healing and redeems the lost from the wages of their sins.

Lk. 4:19 – The “year of the Lord’s favor” is God making it possible for all that have offended Him to be reconciled. Jesus came to provide a new and better covenant in which all men can re-enter into fellowship with God. This is not unlike the year of Jubilee when Jews are released from any and all debt that they had incurred and not yet paid back over the previous seven years. Jesus stops in the middle of the sentence and does not mention about God’s wrath. His purpose here is to proclaim salvation, not judgment. He will talk about that sometime in the near future.

The Sermon

Lk. 4:20 – In the synagogue, the Bible was read standing, and discussed sitting. The reader will have the opportunity to expound on the passage that he has just read. They are very interested to hear what Jesus has to say. They have heard about His teaching in other synagogues, and along the Jordan. They are aware of what happened at the Temple. They have also heard about the miracles that He has performed so far. Now, this is their opportunity to hear Him for themselves. Their eye is fixed on Him. Since the heart is strongly influenced by the eye, it is good that they focus on what He has to say. Watch what you focus your eyes on. Your heart looks to them to guide you in the right way.

Lk. 4:21 – Here is the “sermon” in its entirety. The implication is pretty clear. Jesus is stating who He is and what He is doing. He is acknowledging Himself as being sent by God! All of Old Testament history has been focusing to the life and death of Jesus. All of the New Testament future will refer back to Him.

Lk. 4:22 – It is hard to tell if the people of Nazareth are responding in amazement or resentment. They have watched Jesus grow up as a child. Now they have a hard time seeing Him as anything but Joseph’s son, a carpenter. At first they are interested in His teaching. He speaks with a manner that ministers to their needy hearts. It soon appears that they are starting to doubt. Can it be that they don’t believe that someone from their own community could actually be a Son of God? Are they so aware of the “stereotype” of anyone from Nazareth that they will judge a person on the stereotype instead of investigating the evidence? They know his father, but how could a son of Joseph be a Son of God? It doesn’t compute. Are you influenced by any “stereotyping” of yourself or others?

They all bear witness that He speaks admirably well, and to the purpose. They commend Him, and wonder at the gracious words that proceed out of His mouth; yet, they do not believe in Him. Not all, who are admirers of good preachers and good preaching are true Christians. Why do you attend church? Is it because of Bible preaching, or are you seeking to be entertained? They have a hang up when they consider how Jesus grew up as the son of a carpenter. How could He speak so well when He isn’t “schooled?” How would you react if you had watched someone grow up and they suddenly came back to town and declare themselves to be someone great? How often does familiarity breed contempt?

Lk. 4:23 – Jesus’ answer is to respond to their question before they can ask it. They want to see the miracles. Jesus is more concerned with spiritual healing in Nazareth than their need for physical signs. We should not neglect physical needs, but be more concerned to the hope of something far better than this physical world. What are you doing to help the spiritual pain that people are suffering? This comment responds to their criticism of Him for not performing miracles like He did in other places. He has performed some miracles in Jerusalem and Cana; they will be much more anxious to see Him. The fact is that Jesus has already done sufficient signs. They just weren’t in the manner that the people expected. Even today, how many people reject the signs done by Jesus?

Lk. 4:24 – Another answer explains why He doesn’t do any miracles there. “I tell you the truth,” is literally the “verily” that some other translators use. Luke only records Jesus using this emphasis six times. Matthew uses it thirty-one times and Mark uses it thirteen times. Jesus is making a very important point. A prophet has a very hard time being accepted by the peers of his home community. (See Isaiah 65:2) The main purpose of Jesus’ miracles is to deepen a person’s faith in the messianic salvation.

The Response

Lk. 4:25 – Jesus illustrates His point by citing two prophets in the Old Testament who were rejected by their fellow countrymen. When their fellow Jews needed them, each prophet went and helped foreigners, much to the displeasure of the Jews. In the first illustration, there was no rain for three years and six months. The crops didn’t grow and the Jews needed help. They were suffering for lack of food to eat.

Lk. 4:26 – At the instruction of God, Elijah went and helped a Gentile widow, instead of bringing rain or aid to his own countrymen. Elijah didn’t go to Jews only, but also went to foreigners. Jesus doesn’t mention that Elijah was not greatly honored at Zarephath. He only points out that he ministered to Gentiles as well as Jews. Who do you need to be going to and helping?

Lk. 4:27 – Elisha was sent to Naaman, a Syrian. Not only was Naaman a foreigner, but he was also an enemy to Israel. There is no mention of Israel rejecting him. In like manner, Jesus is not here to save only the Jews, but to offer salvation to everyone who will believe that He is the Son of God and declare Him as their Lord and Savior. The main point here is that Jesus is here for the salvation of everyone. Christ is generally better received among the Gentiles than among His own people. Hill south of Nazareth where Jesus may have escaped the mob. Photo courtesy of Glen & Sylvia Copple

Lk. 4:28 – The Jews in the synagogue get the point, and they don’t like it. Their own scripture indicts them and it hurts too much. They are enraged that Jesus, a carpenter’s son, should compare Himself with the great prophets and compare them with idol worshippers. They don’t care that much about who He is. The language here is very similar to the account of Stephen’s stoning in Acts 7:58, and Paul in Acts 13:50.

Lk. 4:29 – They become a lynch mob ready to kill in the self-righteous anger. The synagogue service hasn’t even been concluded, yet they break out in riot to try to stop Jesus, who is telling them what they need to hear most. Throwing Him off the cliff is the same as stoning Him. Nazareth sits on a hillside and there are several slopes sufficiently steep to cause the death of someone who fell from the elevation. The current sight for this event that is favored by Bible historians is on the west side of the city where there is a forty-foot drop to the valley below. How many times have you wanted to ease the guilt of your sin by stopping the person who is making you aware that your behavior is wrong? Or have you ever argued with someone who was right, but didn’t acknowledge them being right because you didn’t want to admit that you were wrong?

Lk. 4:30 – At the crucial moment, no one touches Jesus. This isn’t necessarily a miracle, but it is miraculous how Jesus avoided being killed. How did He do it? Did He say something that stopped them? Did He just look at them and that stop them from pushing? It is somewhat intriguing that they are unable to carry out their anger on Jesus. Maybe the walk from the town to the cliff allowed the furry to settle and they are unable to follow through with their intent. Either way, God’s purpose will not be thwarted by a bunch of angry sinners, then or now.

I can see the headlines “Local Boy Returns to Hometown and is Rejected by Locals.” Jesus isn’t going to die until it is time! He simply walks past the mob and they are unable to touch Him. How awesome is the power of God!

Next week, we begin the “Settled Ministry.” Most of Jesus ministry radiates from Capernaum. When He goes out of town into the neighborhood, He always returns to Capernaum to rest, regroup, minister, etc. In the next lesson, Jesus is also going to call His first official disciples. He is only beginning to assemble the team that will later be designated as Apostles.

Read Matthew4:13-22; Mark 1:14b-20; Luke 4:31a, 5:1-11. Come and see.

“Walking With Jesus”

Lesson Commentary

LOC – 024 Jesus is Rejected!
How to Deal With Rejection

Do you recall a time when you were a child and the other children played “Keep Away” from you? Did your peers ever call you names? Have you ever felt rejected by others who you wanted to identify with? No one likes to be rejected. We all want to feel that we fit in, are respected by those around us and have something significant to offer the community.

We are in Luke 4:16-30. Jesus is human (as well as God) and is subject to the same emotions and struggles that we face.How does He deal with rejection?

Life Involves Taking Risks! – Luke 4:16-19

Jesus returns to visit the town where He grew up. Nazareth is about 15 miles WSW of Tiberius. He seeks to tell them about the Messiah, but they aren’t open to believing Him. They develop an attitude towards Jesus that hinders their accepting Him for who He is. They want to think of Him only as the carpenter’s son, not a rising spiritual leader or Messiah.

What would the people from your hometown say about you today? Have you ever gone somewhere and felt rejected by those who were there? Why did you feel rejected? Would you be willing to risk being rejected (or even risk your life) to stand for Godly values in an ungodly environment (work, government, etc.)?

Use Your Gifts to Glorify God! – Luke 4:20-21

Like any proper Jew, Jesus attends the worship service at the synagogue every Sabbath. In fact, He has started to gather a following and the accompanying attention. He often reads the Scripture in many of the Sabbath services. When you are traveling, do you make it a point to worship at a local church on the Lord’s Day?

Jesus gets to choose the passage that He will read. He rolls to what we know as Isaiah 61:1-2 (They didn’t have chapter divisions back then).After reading the Scripture, Jesus explains it in one sentence. Some sermons today should be so short. Jesus concludes His comments by stating that this prophecy has now been fulfilled. In this, He is declaring that He is the Messiah!

His authority is the Spirit of God who has qualified Him to proclaim this truth. His mission is to release captives from the sin in their lives. Luke leaves out “heal the broken hearted”. He only uses “heal” for physical ailments. What has God qualified you to do for His Kingdom?

Jesus’ concern is for the spiritually poor more so than for the physically poor. He offers us freedom from sin that is far more valuable than healing of any and all physical maladies or material affluence. In all of Jesus’ miracles, He does not make anyone rich! He does compensate Peter for the use of his boat, a couple of times, but any material reward is limited.Life is not about wealth, but a relationship with God!

Confront Those Who Oppose You! – Luke 4:21-27

Most of the people of Nazareth remember Jesus growing up as a child. It is hard to tell if their reaction to Him is in amazement or resentment. They appear to have a hard time accepting Him as anything but a carpenter’s son. Rather than investigate the evidence, they are stereotyping Jesus into something other than what He is. On the one hand, they marvel at His words, but still, they don’t want to accept His claim. Have you ever been guilty of stereotyping someone because of their race, place or profession and being wrong in your assumptions?

Jesus reads their response and answers their unasked question. This same skepticism hinders Jesus from doing very many miracles. He cites two prophets in the Old Testament who went to foreigners because the Jews rejected their ministry.Elijah helped a foreign widow when his own countrymen were also going hungry. Later, Elisha cured Naaman, a Syrian (Israel’s enemy) of leprosy.

Trust God to be in Control! – Luke 4:28-30

This wasn’t any more pleasing to the Jews than Jesus’ words were earlier in this account. They know that He is speaking against them and they are enraged by their own guilt. It is beyond them that Jesus could be the Messiah.

Do you attend church to worship God or because you like the preacher? Put yourself in the shoes of a citizen of Nazareth.How many times have you wanted to ease your guilt by stopping the person who is reminding you of your wrong doing? Have you ever been wrong in an argument and have to apologize?

CONCLUSION

Elijah and Elisha not only ministered to the Jews, but also to outsiders. In similar fashion, Jesus offers salvation to Gentiles, not just the Jews. Our challenge is to not let rejection keep us from seeking to reach out to non-Christians. We don’t want to reject anyone else whom God has called. Who knows, you may be instrumental in bringing someone to Christ who will be the next Martin Luther, John Wesley, Billy Graham, Bill Bright or some other significant Christian leader.

Next Week: Jesus goes fishing. What is He going to catch?