Jesus is Essential
Luke 4:20–23: Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’ ”
Luke says, “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips” (v. 22a). They were captivated by the grace and charm of his words. But that is as far as it went. They had all known him since he was a mere boy. They had known him as the nice little lad down the street, or a playmate, and later as “the carpenter.” Their admiration apparently degenerated into cynicism: “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” (v. 22b).
They admired his words, but they were totally unmoved and unaffected by their meaning. Within themselves, they were saying, “We need to see some sign here. We need more than these pretty words.” Jesus had lived with them for thirty years. He could read them like a book. He didn’t need his omniscience to know that he was in fact being rejected. 1
Walking with Jesus
How well do handle personal rejection? How do you keep trusting Jesus when you are slandered for the sins of another person? Do you ask for more grace or vengeance?
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
He never sinned and yet was accused of being a criminal. – TWEET IT
Praying
Lord, thank You for teaching me how to endure the pain of this world.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1998). Luke: that you may know the truth. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
