Yet not one of them was cleansed.

Context

Jesus grew up in Galilee with his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. He impressed the Jewish teachers at a very young age but waited until about 30 before his public ministry would begin. Jesus was blessed by God the Father and the Holy Spirit on the day he was baptised by John. He was full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he was tested and approved like no other person ever before him. The devil, failing to persuade Jesus to bow to him, fled to wait for an opportune moment to return.

Observation

Structure

14-21 The preaching ministry of Jesus

22-30 The hometown reaction

14-21 The preaching ministry of Jesus

“Jesus returned to Galilee…” We know very well that this is the region of Jesus’ hometown, Nazareth (Luke 1:27, 2:4, 39, 51). Jesus had gone to the Jordon and been baptised, then to the wilderness, and had begun to preach in various places before returning to Nazareth (see 4:23). The area of Galilee included Capernaum, the Jordan, Lake Galilee and Nazareth (https://www.enterthebible.org/media/maps/source/NT2_1cGalilee.jpg)

“…in the power of the Spirit…” As mentioned in the previous passage, this speaks to us of how he is walking with God and not independently nor aimlessly.

“…news about him spread through the whole countryside.” From a narrative point of view, we are being told that Jesus is becoming somebody. People are taking notice of him. Luke is telling us without giving us all the details that Jesus had become a public figure and not hiding his voice any more. Matthew expands a little on events that happened during this time.

“He was teaching in their synagogues…” There were many synagogues but only one Temple. It is easiest to think of the synagogue as the local gathering centre for learning about God and for regular worship whereas the Temple was unique and designed for worship and sacrifice. Jesus was being treated and addressed as someone equipped and worthy to preach. [*** find a quote or something to explain what is the custom here ***]

“…and everyone praised him.” It’s funny how we use words in different ways and need to remember how words capture ideas for us. Praise, bless, worship and glorify and four different words which we can use quite easily of God. But we can praise our children for being obedient. Jesus is being received with joy and approval by the people at this point. NB how people can receive Jesus and yet not receive him entirely. We and Jesus are not seeking simple approval but to receive Him as Lord. By the end of this story, the people in his home town will be ready to kill him. In verses 14-15 we are introduced to the ministry of Jesus in the greater area of Galilee where he was, by and large, accepted and approved. We then move to his hometown of Nazareth.

“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up.” This sentence gives us the image of a community who watched Jesus grow. They are familiar with his family. This is the privileged township who spent 30 years with the Messiah! Ten times longer than Jesus’ ministry lasted. How will the people who lived with the promised child respond when the mature Jesus brings them the good news? We shall see that Luke’s point is that the gospel will be more effective abroad than among those who presume to know.

“…as was his custom…stood up to read.” It was Jesus’ habit to attend synagogue on the Sabbath day. It may not have been his custom or regular weekly habit to read but he got up to read on this Sabbath. [*** something about customs in the synagogue on a Sabbath ***]

“…found the place where it was written…” Although the scroll of Isaiah was chosen for him, he deliberately found this piece of scripture to read.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” The scripture read is from Isaiah 61:1-2. Jesus read from what is known as the LXX which is a Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures and differs to suggest that it was originally translated from manuscripts that differ from the Hebrew ones we have access to.

“…the year of the Lord’s favour.” This refers on one level to the year of Jubilee as described in Leviticus 25 where the nation of Israel is to reset all trades and sales that have happened in the previous 50 years. But as Isaiah uses it, is a prediction of God’s restored stated in an age to come.

“…gave it back …sat down…all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him.” It was expected that he would speak to the room concerning the passage just read. The tension in the narrative though is sweet. In Luke’s account, what Jesus says next are the first words from Jesus’ lips which are both public (not in the wilderness) and not simply reading scripture (or recounting it in the wilderness). This is the moment in Luke when Jesus speaks.

“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” This must be the shortest sermon since Moses preached “let my people go!” All of the substance in the message was in the word of God and Jesus simply gave the passage’s application. This is no longer a hope but a reality! The first section of this passage is climaxed at what Jesus’ preaching and teaching is about. It is about the good news of God’s anointed who will proclaim (teach) and bring healing. The good news is that God’s favour is here.

22-30 The hometown reaction

“…all spoke well of him and…the gracious words…from his lips.” This verse has been chosen as the passage division marker on the thematic basis of moving from what Jesus ministry looked like to what the response from his home town was like. There are many ways and reasons to subdivide a passage. The first impression the people had of Jesus was pleasing. They spoke well of him. They approved of him. Isn’t it funny how we jump to judging a speaker. This is just their initial response however. The people will next start to analyse Jesus and dig deeper to see whether they should accept him. It seems easy to imagine that they judged Jesus on more than what is quoted in verse 21. But his words are described as gracious. It is indeed good to be a person who packages their words with kindness and gentleness and words that build others up.

“Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” Here we see the people look past the words Jesus was speaking and the manner in which he spoke them and to who the man was himself. Should it matter where he came from? Did any of the prophets come from good stock? The people new Jesus and his family and we see here that Joseph was treated as his father.

“…you will quote this proverb…” This is not a quote from the book of Proverbs but rather a well known saying of Jesus’ time.

“Physician, heal yourself!” The point of this proverb is perhaps explained in what Jesus went on to say although it does seem like it doesn’t fit like a glove.  Something like, perform your skills at home! You can do amazing things but you fail to perform them in your own life. “You profess, so now produce!” That’s something of the gist of the phrase which fits it’s language and context.

“Do here in Jerusalem what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.” Jesus had been preaching all over Galilee which Capernaum is a part of. See Mark 1:21-28. Luke tells us of Jesus heading into Capernaum in 4:31-37. Either was in Capernaum earlier and returned there since he is received better out of his hometown OR Luke has deliberately placed these two stories in this order for a reason. Our present story (verses 14-30) work well to introduce the ministry of Jesus and show the two responses of acceptance and rejection. Luke uses his hometown story as a way of tying Jesus’ ministry to the promises of God and how, not only his hometown but the people of Israel need to accept him. Remember that Luke’s long arc in Luke-Acts is to show that Jesus is the salvation of God for the whole world (Acts 1:8). We will see in Luke’s account how Jesus is rejected by most of the Jews and the good news is sent out to all the earth.

“Truly I tell you.” This is a strong announcement to whatever follows. ‘Amen’ or ‘truly truly’ are other ways of seeing this translated. See Luke 9:27; 12:37, 44; 18:17, 29; 21:3, 32; 23:43.

“…no prophet is accepted in his hometown…” Making the point which Jesus will continue to show by example. Note that the theme and purpose of Luke’s account here is emerging. It’s not simply the Nazarenes who are on trial but the people of Israel who are familiar with God’s promises and have a history of presuming on God and missing the blessings.

“…widows in Israel in Elijah’s time…but…a widow in Zarephath” 1 Kings 17 tells the complete story that Jesus refers to here. The region describes Gentile area. It is just north of the northern border of Israel. It’s interesting to note the end to the story shows the woman confident that Elijah is a man of God. “Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”

“…many in Israel with leprosy…yet…only Naaman the Syrian [was cleansed].” Jesus chooses a story of Elisha (Elijah’s disciple) to show the same point. The word of God is going out to the world and the ones most familiar are missing what’s on offer.

“…furious when they heard this.” This seems either over-reacting or that we need to understand what Jesus was saying to them. Jesus was telling them they are worse off than a Phoenician widow or a Syrian leper. Jesus has poked the bear.

“…drove him out…took him…to throw him off a cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.” This whole account of Jesus ministry has been a small token of Jesus’ full minstry to Israel. He came bearing good news and speaking truth and grace but will be taken to his death – only to escape from that too! After being told that he was driven and carried and about to be thrown, he simply walks away – through the angry crowd. This is surely a miracle. Ironically, God has fulfilled what the devil had prompted back in verses 9-11. Jesus had left the trials in the desert to be put on trial in his town of youth. While the first trial prompted Jesus to put God to the test, this is exactly what the people were doing in the current story. And God certainly did ‘guard him carefully’ so that he did not ‘strike his foot against a stone.’

Meaning

In this first example of Jesus speaking with people, we see the way Jesus will be treated in the gospel. Right from the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus did not have high hopes for his own people putting their trust in him. He has come to proclaim freedom, sight and favour but the people of Israel will proclaim, ‘crucify him!’ The gospel is destined to go abroad and leave Israel behind.

Application

• Topic A: Taking God at his word. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that God has promised for mankind. When he spoke to his hometown they liked what he said but wanted to see Jesus prove himself. The question for us is whether we will receive Jesus and his message or critique him as though he is just another man. What holds you back from being a disciple of Jesus 110%?
• Topic B: Un-domesticating the gospel. The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is both a local and a global message. It fits everywhere in the world because it is the message of salvation for the world. Yet, we can attach all sorts of local cultures and customs to the message and reject the idea of Christianity taking shape and finding a home in the hearts of anybody, everywhere. How have you seen the gospel be domesticated, making it fit a certain pattern rather than leaving it powerfully in the hands of God?
• Topic C: Words of truth delivered graciously. Jesus was praised for his gracious words and when he spoke sharply to the people he allowed his point to be carried by illustration. It can be very tricky to say what we want to say and package it well. Our aim is not to change our message to be received well by all, but to package our message so that it the truth is delivered effectively. Discuss.

Prayer of the Week

Our Father in heaven, thank you for making your gospel message known across our globe. Thank you that this message of for salvation, truth, and liberty and that it is for everybody who listens, learns and recognises your Son as Lord. May we let your word speak to us, your Son reign in our hearts, and our desire to know you grow more and more every year. Amen.