When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way. Luke 4:28-30 [NLT]
I’ve read this passage several times over the last 2 days…which is why nothing was written yesterday. The place I have been spending the time is after the reading of the scripture in Isaiah in the synagogue, Jesus handed to scroll back and then brought up two passages as examples of a ‘prophet not being accepted in his own hometown’. Here are the two examples:
“Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”
Luke 4:25-27 [NLT]
What Jesus was saying was that not only was He the Messiah but that the Children of Israel would not be the ones who would be saved but foreigners (or Gentiles). All too aware of their oppression at the hands of the Roman empire (godless pagans), the townspeople are indignant at Jesus’ insinuation that the final days end would include rather than exact justice on the Gentiles.
I can’t even begin to comprehend how uncomfortable this must have been for Jesus. These were all his family, childhood friends, rabbi’s, and elders. They knew Him as the good boy of Joseph whom they were all proud of and heard of the amazing works He had done in Capernaum before coming home for a visit. Now here He was essentially blaspheming Yahweh and the only recourse for them (in their minds) was to cast Him out of town and even prepared to force Him off a cliff. Instead, He turned from the edge of the cliff and quietly walked through the crowd and on His way.
Application:
2 things -> 1) The God I serve is not intimidated by even the closest of my friends and family when I speak His TRUTH and obey Him. He has walked that road. 2) I must stay true to who God is growing me to be. My memory verse right now is:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged. For THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREEVER YOU GO”
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)