Read Luke 4:14-30

Jesus begins his ministry with the power of the Spirit. He had just defeated the devil in the wilderness and it was time for him to teach about the kingdom. His teaching was initially well received as seen in verse 15.

Jesus goes to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read. Jesus was faithful to attend the Sabbath service and would willingly take the opportunity to read from the old law. On this occasion, he read from the prophet Isaiah, specifically from Isaiah 61:1-3. The passage points to the coming Messiah and the good things that would come with him.

After reading the scroll Jesus announced the fulfillment of these scriptures. Those in attendance initially reacted positively to this news from Jesus. They knew Jesus. They knew his family. Perhaps they were excited that he was one of them but that all changed very quickly.

Jesus quotes an old proverb, “Physician, heal yourself.” His hometown had heard of the things Jesus did in Capernaum and were anxious to see the same thing performed here. There may have been the feeling that Jesus should have started with them as he was from there. This idea will follow Jesus up to the crucifixion as they will call upon him to save himself if he is the Son of God.

Jesus talks of the widow of Zarephath and Naaman from the Old Testament. These received help from God through Elijah and Elisha. They were not the normal choice but they would be representative of the people of the time of Jesus. Like the people of Nazareth, many felt that Jesus should come to them and not the other way around. They wanted exclusivity to the righteousness that came from God. They had no interest in considering that it was for all. The people try to take Jesus and throw him from a cliff but he was able to pass through them.

It is hard to reach everybody. Some of the hardest to reach are those that are the closest to us. Jesus would not do many mighty works in Nazareth because of this. It shows the importance of keeping our minds and hearts open.