Verses: Luke 4 : 14 - 30
My thoughts about the verses:
Jesus has gone to several cities and they have welcomed him with open arms. He has healed people. He has preached the word. He has lived the story of the Good news. Then he goes home.
You would think that when the people of his hometown saw Jesus they would throw him a party. Jesus goes to the synagogue and is giving the scroll containing the book of Isaiah he reads a simple scripture. Then states as the words were read the Messiah was living the story. The people looked around and said how he could say this isn't he Joseph the Carpenter's son. How dare he put himself in this role.
Jesus tells them how he could expect anything different from this group. Let's be honest Jesus had knowledge that was much greater than anyone that he was talking to. The truth is that your neighbors and family are the last ones to realize the good you are doing for God. They know your past and if you did anything as a youth you regret they will never forget. I would think that the people were thinking how a carpenter’s son could be anything more than a carpenter.
This not only happened to Jesus but to the prophets that had come to prepare the way. People in the community didn't believe what they were saying. They doubted it because they knew the prophets. You can almost hear them saying how can this person be enlightened with what will happen to us. Yet, those from other places through the present time understand that God had given them the gift of prophecy.
You must understand that people close to you will miss the work you do for God. They will think about your past or your families past. They will judge especially if you have done things in the past that they do not agree with. They will hold this against you because they will doubt that God has chosen you to do a great work.
Does this mean that we should not share our work for God with those that are close to us? No we are to share the good news to everyone. If you noticed Jesus was trying to teach his neighbors about the fulfillment of God's promise to the Jewish community. Yet, even though he was sharing the good news they did not accept it. This did not distract him from the ultimate task. He taught them that what they had done had happened with the prophets of old. Imaging having the things that you know is true discussed as if you are following the same pattern. Over time you will notice that the ones that you do not know will accept your calling.
I want you to think about this a second. Jesus tells them how they treated him and the prophets from the past. They get so angry that they go to the mountain top to throw Jesus off. What happened is that he disappeared into the crowd because it was not his time. The lesson that we can learn from this is that even when the ones that we are close to turn us away God will protect us. God will lead us to the place where we can do the most good. So do not be afraid if your neighbors do not accept what you are doing. Instead trust that God and your ministry will go to even higher places.
Prayer:
Dear God we thank you for the peace and comfort you give us daily. We thank you for being with us as others turn their back. Help us keep focused on the mark. Help us reach out to those that have and will reject us. Help the world see you in us today. In your name we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you ever been afraid to tell the story of Christ? Do your family and friends believe you are doing God's work? What truth do you need to take from this example so that you can bring light to the world?
My thoughts about the verses:
Jesus has gone to several cities and they have welcomed him with open arms. He has healed people. He has preached the word. He has lived the story of the Good news. Then he goes home.
You would think that when the people of his hometown saw Jesus they would throw him a party. Jesus goes to the synagogue and is giving the scroll containing the book of Isaiah he reads a simple scripture. Then states as the words were read the Messiah was living the story. The people looked around and said how he could say this isn't he Joseph the Carpenter's son. How dare he put himself in this role.
Jesus tells them how he could expect anything different from this group. Let's be honest Jesus had knowledge that was much greater than anyone that he was talking to. The truth is that your neighbors and family are the last ones to realize the good you are doing for God. They know your past and if you did anything as a youth you regret they will never forget. I would think that the people were thinking how a carpenter’s son could be anything more than a carpenter.
This not only happened to Jesus but to the prophets that had come to prepare the way. People in the community didn't believe what they were saying. They doubted it because they knew the prophets. You can almost hear them saying how can this person be enlightened with what will happen to us. Yet, those from other places through the present time understand that God had given them the gift of prophecy.
You must understand that people close to you will miss the work you do for God. They will think about your past or your families past. They will judge especially if you have done things in the past that they do not agree with. They will hold this against you because they will doubt that God has chosen you to do a great work.
Does this mean that we should not share our work for God with those that are close to us? No we are to share the good news to everyone. If you noticed Jesus was trying to teach his neighbors about the fulfillment of God's promise to the Jewish community. Yet, even though he was sharing the good news they did not accept it. This did not distract him from the ultimate task. He taught them that what they had done had happened with the prophets of old. Imaging having the things that you know is true discussed as if you are following the same pattern. Over time you will notice that the ones that you do not know will accept your calling.
I want you to think about this a second. Jesus tells them how they treated him and the prophets from the past. They get so angry that they go to the mountain top to throw Jesus off. What happened is that he disappeared into the crowd because it was not his time. The lesson that we can learn from this is that even when the ones that we are close to turn us away God will protect us. God will lead us to the place where we can do the most good. So do not be afraid if your neighbors do not accept what you are doing. Instead trust that God and your ministry will go to even higher places.
Prayer:
Dear God we thank you for the peace and comfort you give us daily. We thank you for being with us as others turn their back. Help us keep focused on the mark. Help us reach out to those that have and will reject us. Help the world see you in us today. In your name we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you ever been afraid to tell the story of Christ? Do your family and friends believe you are doing God's work? What truth do you need to take from this example so that you can bring light to the world?
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