Sunday 2 February 2025
And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town." (v. 24)
Background
Just before today's Bible passage, Jesus had read out the words of Isaiah in the synagogue (“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Luke 4:18-19) Jesus then tells those gathered that the words have been fulfilled that day, meaning that he is their saviour. This statement raises some questions for those present. Isn’t this just Mary and Joseph’s lad?
It can be hard to hear challenging words when they come to us from those close to us. Jesus is speaking in his home town and finds himself being taken to the edge of a cliff where they would have hurled him off due to his words. Fortunately he was able to walk through them and disappear.
We may have experienced going back to somewhere familiar and finding that people aren’t always ready to receive what we may have to share with them. Here Jesus is seen as just some child whose mum and dad they knew. His parents were ordinary people, so why would Jesus think he can declare that the scripture is fulfilled in him? Why should he be so presumptuous?
These people can’t see past the child and the family they knew. Their memories clouded their minds as they heard him speak. He may have been speaking the truth but they could not grasp it. The challenge for us is to ask what is clouding our minds so that we don’t hear Jesus as we should.
To Ponder:
- Have you ever dismissed someone’s insights because of their background or relationship to you?
- What things might prevent you from fully hearing and responding to Jesus’ words in your own life? How can you work to set these aside?
- Have you ever faced resistance when sharing a truth or insight with people who know you well?
Bible notes author: The Revd David Wynd
David Wynd is a Methodist minister serving in Cullercoats, in North Tyneside.