This Sunday we continue our march through the Gospel of Luke. Things really start to head south for Jesus. After beginning his public ministry in Capernum, he returns to his hometown of Nazareth. What are the first images that come to mind when you think of your home town? Do you find a similar description in Luke's depiction of Jesus' experiences in Nazareth from Chapter 4?
In verse 24, Jesus tells us that "Truly, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown." What is a prophet? Can you name any Biblical and/or modern examples? What do those figures hold in common?
The last line of this passage cracks me up! It's a typical gloss, or understatement, that has been lost in translation, "But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way." Let's get real - the people were getting ready to throw him over a CLIFF. My logical brain tells me that running away from the crowd wasn't an option! So...you tell me - how did Jesus get away?
Gospel for Sunday, January 31, 2010: Luke 4:21-30
21Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ 22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ 23He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.” ’ 24And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. 25But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ 28When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
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