Luke Bible Study, Day 9
Today’s passage: Luke 4:14–30
Focus verse:All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. (Luke 4:28)
After the devil strikes out in his attempt to stop Jesus before he can even start his ministry, the Holy Spirit sends Jesus to Galilee. There he instructs the people in the synagogues, and they praise him.
Then Jesus goes to Nazareth, his hometown, for the Sabbath.
He reads from the book of Isaiah to the people gathered there. The passage contains a future-focused prophecy about the coming Messiah. Here are the key points Jesus reads: God’s Spirit is in me, and he’s anointed me to:
- tell the poor about God’s good news,
- let the prisoners know about freedom,
- heal blind people,
- free the oppressed, and
- proclaim God’s favor.
Then Jesus sits. Everyone watches him. “Yes, this text is about me and what I’m going to do.” They’re amazed at his words and speak highly of him.
If only Jesus had stopped. Instead he launches into a teaching.
These people know him. He grew up here. They’re his tribe. He’s blunt. “People never accept a hometown prophet.” Then he reminds them of two stories.
First, he mentions the prophet Elijah, who during a three-year drought leaves the country of Israel and travels to Zarephath, in Sidon. There he meets a poor widow, preparing a final meal for her and her son before they die of starvation.
Miraculously, God multiplies her meager supply of flour and oil to feed her, her son, and Elijah throughout the drought. Though there are many needy widows in Israel, God sent Elijah to help a foreigner.
Next, Jesus mentions Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army that has oppressed the nation of Israel. Naaman has leprosy, and the prophet Elisha heals him, even though many people in the nation of Israel also have leprosy.
Not only does God direct Elisha to heal a foreigner, but this foreigner has oppressed God’s people.
These examples show God favoring those outside his chosen people—and doing so at their expense.
The people rage against Jesus for mentioning these two stories. Though everything he said is true, the people don’t care. His teaching insults them.
A mob forms, they drive him out of town and try to throw him off a cliff to kill him. But it’s not his time.
Jesus just walks through the crowd and leaves unscathed.
Questions:
Has God ever prompted us to speak boldly, only to have people get mad at us?
When we hear a message that offends us, do we attack the messenger even though it’s true?
[Discover more about Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 61:1–2. Read the stories Jesus refers to in 1 Kings 17:7–16 and 2 Kings 5:1–14.]
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Read more about the book of Luke in Dear Theophilus: A 40-Day Devotional Exploring the Life of Jesus through the Gospel of Luke, now available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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