Luke Chapter 4
By Pastor Chris
Heeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrreeeeeeee’s Jesus
I grew up in the Chicago area when the Chicago Bulls were not just good, but great. Michael Jordan was insanely popular during a time where they won 6 championships, and everyone in America loved them (well at least that was our perspective). During their run they began to feed the hype surrounding them. They started doing this whole introduction, which as a fan was a must to tune in early to catch. The lights would go out in the whole building, this twilight-zone-type music started playing and the announcer yelled “AAAAAAANNND NOW THE STARTING LINEUP FOR YOUR CHICAGO BULLS …”. The crowd went ballistic, people at home knew it was game time, the players were into it—and it culminated with the announcement of the starting Shooting Guard—it was quite the entrance. (It still gives me goose-bumps just thinking about it.)
In Luke 4 we read about Jesus’ reintroduction to his hometown people. It has all of the excitement of the Bulls introduction with none of the pyrotechnics. The people were interested in Jesus because he had recently been in Capernaum and the word had spread about him back to Nazareth. For his opening he reads from a scripture often associated with the Messiah. The promises made in this passage are for good news of freedom, a way out of poverty and oppression; ultimately bringing the time of God’s favor on His people. Notice that their response is amazement at the gracious words he had given them. Apparently, they like what he has to say.
Aaaaaaaaaaand then things take a slight turn.
Jesus reveals something to them which had never occurred to them. What if this is not just for them but intended for others? The example Jesus uses is an instance where Elisha heals a Syrian and makes the point that he did not offer any such healing to those in Israel who might also have needed it. Jesus’ bold claim that the good news he has come to bring is not just for the Israelites but also for the greater good of the whole world enrages this once grateful crowd. The situation has taken a dark turn and now they want to kill him!
They did not want to accept that anyone else was worthy for what God had to offer. What they failed to realize was that no one was worthy, but God had chosen to bring Good News to all willing to hear.
Do you remember when you first heard the Good News?
Why was it such good news?
Like the Jewish people in Nazareth are you guilty of wanting to keep it all to yourself?
This week pray and ask God to send someone your way who might need to hear the Good News of Christ and take the time to share it with them.
