The Life of Christ (14)

1. The Life of Christ (14) His Rejection at Nazareth Scriptures Luke 4:14-30 Vocabulary Synagogue—a house of assembly, prayer, and the focal point for Jewish life where the Old Testament was read and studied. The Life of Christ (14)

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3. The Life of Christ (14) • His Rejection at Nazareth • After leaving Samaria, Jesus continues on to Galilee where He teaches in the synagogues, heals people, and casts out demons. Matt. 4:23-25. • While in Galilee, Jesus stops in His home town of Nazareth to teach a Bible class in the synagogue. Lk. 4:16 • At that time worship in the synagogue followed a general format: • Men sat on one side and women on the other. • The more wealthy, powerful, and influential people sat up front. • Services began with a reading of Deut. 4:1 “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, in order that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you ...” • Then a recitation of Thanksgiving. • There was a reading first from the Pentateuch (first five books of the OT) and then from the prophets; finally, a sermon was given. An important visitor might be asked to do the reading and give the sermon. • The service ended with a closing prayer. The Life of Christ (14)

4. The Life of Christ (14) • His Rejection at Nazareth • Jesus reads a scripture from Isaiah 61:1-2a as seen in Luke 4:18-19. • Luke 4:18–19 (NASB95) • 18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden), • 19To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” • Isaiah 61:1–2 (NASB95) • 1The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; • 2To proclaim the favorable year of the LordAnd the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, The Life of Christ (14)

5. The Life of Christ (14) • His Rejection at Nazareth • Jesus reads a scripture from Isaiah 61:1-2a Luke 4:18-19a. • His purpose in reading the above scripture is to announce His Messianic mission (work) and this prophecy authorizes his public ministry. • In the verse in Luke from Isaiah the terms “poor”, “captives”, “blind” and “downtrodden” refer to spiritual status rather than physical problems. • “Poor” is better translated as “afflicted”; the Hebrew term means one who is weak or afflicted by more powerful forces. • “Captive” refers to those that are bound under the rule of Satan, the old sin nature, and spiritual death. • “Blind” refers to the lack of ability to see the truth apart from the Holy Spirit. • The “Downtrodden” is parallel with the captives; it also refers to the mental and physical effects of being broken down or oppressed. • The “favorable year” is a reference to the first advent (His first appearing). The Life of Christ (14)

6. The Life of Christ (14) • His Rejection at Nazareth • He stops reading in the middle of a sentence in Isaiah 61:2a, because the remainder of the prophecy refers to the Second Advent (His second coming) . • He then says that these scriptures have been fulfilled before them and that He is the Messiah. Luke 4:21 • At first, they were impressed with the way He spoke and His authority, but then began to react when they realized what He was actually saying; He was claiming to be the anointed messenger of God. Verse 22 • However, their mood changed when they realize he is talking about their poor spiritual condition. • They attempt to reject His teachings because of His background; they knew Jesus’ family and figured that He was nothing more than the young boy who had grown up among them. Verse 23 • He anticipates their rejection of His message in verse 23. • They want Him to prove Himself by performing the same type of miracle they heard that He did in Capernaum; throughout the gospels the demand for miracles is a characteristic of the unbeliever. Verse 23 The Life of Christ (14)

7. The Life of Christ (14) • His Rejection at Nazareth • He responds that miracles are not designed for negative volition since miracles do not change what a person is. Verse 24 • He gives them two examples of the limited nature of miracles by citing the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, who were sent only to certain individuals because of the negative volition that prevailed in Israel during their lives. Verses 25-27 • In verses 28-30 they realize that Jesus is saying that they are like their negative (unbelieving)ancestors and that He will not do any miracle for them. • They respond in murderous rage and attempt to kill Him, but He escapes. Verses 29-30 The Life of Christ (14)

8. The Life of Christ (14) • His Rejection at Nazareth • Things to note about Jesus’ Teaching at Nazareth: • Jesus did not compromise truth in order to maintain friendly relations with those that knew Him from childhood. • He taught with authority and did not appeal to other teachers like their Rabbis did. • He told them what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear. • He did not compromise in any way and did not cater to the crowd by giving them what they wanted. • Note the similarity between the way their services (Jewish services in the synagogue) were conducted and the modern practice of letting guest teachers into the pulpit. • This practice leads to confusion since sheep are not designed to follow more than one shepherd (pastor-teacher); it also undermines the authority of the pastor-teacher who is charged with the responsibility of feeding and shepherding his own flock. Jn. 21:15-17; IPet. 5:1-4 The Life of Christ (14)

9. The Life of Christ (14) • His Rejection at Nazareth • John 21:15–17 (NASB95) • 15So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” • 16He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” • 17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. • 1 Peter 5:1–4 (NASB95) • 1Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, • 2shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; • 3nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. • 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. The Life of Christ (14)