Luke 4:14-30
Q.1. Where did Jesus begin His mission? How important was the Synagogue to Jesus? Why was this so? – (Lk.4:14-21)
After the baptism of Jesus and His subsequent temptation by the devil, – Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit … and He began teaching in their synagogues (Lk.4:14-15 c.f. Lk.3:21-22;4:1-12). Jesus had been brought up in the synagogue at Nazareth, so would have come to understand His Divine mission from His study of the Scripture (Lk.4:16 c.f. Lk.4:17-21). The synagogue was the place where the Word of God was taught to the people of Israel. The apostles also began their ministry in each city at the synagogue. That was so because the people there would have at least accepted the authority of the Scriptures (Acts.13:5, 14-15, 43 etc).
Q.2. In what way was the quotation from Isaiah a ‘blue print’ for Christ’s ministry? How was the ministry of the Messiah recognizable? – (Lk.4:18-20)
When Jesus was in the synagogue, the Book of Isaiah was handed to Him. He opened the scroll to chapter 61 and read a summary of the promised Messiah’s ministry – 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; To proclaim the favourable year of the Lord (Lk.4:18-19). Jesus stopped short of quoting Isaiah 61:2 – and the day of vengeance of our God … since the time of His judgment and reign were yet future (Jn.3:17-18; 5:24-29). He had now come and had been – anointed to preach the gospel (Lk.4:18). It is noteworthy that all the categories of people mentioned were needy. Since that was where Jesus focused most of His ministry, this gives us a challenge to be looking out for those in need.
Q.3. What point was Jesus making to His hometown friends? What were they expecting? Why did they react to Him? – (Lk.4:20-30)
Jesus had the undivided attention of His home crowd, after He declared – Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing (Lk.4:21). However, though they sensed His authority, the truth He unveiled was beyond their comprehension (Lk.4:22). Jesus knew the people of the synagogue at Nazareth well … and they knew His human family connections. All Israel were looking for a person who could remove the oppression of Rome. It escaped their notice that the coming Messiah had to first fulfill the prophecies concerning the Suffering Servant. Sadly, they did not see Him as anyone other than Joseph and Mary’s son (Lk.4:22-23). That day Jesus told them a truth which they refused to believe. He commented – No prophet is welcome in his hometown (Lk.4:23-24). Jesus then underscored the fact that God is the One Who chooses people, regardless of their nationality. He chose for Elijah to minister to a widow in Sidon, and also Elisha to minister to Naaman from Syria … both non-Israelites (Lk.4:25-27). In outrage, the Jews drove Him out of their city, planning to throw Him down the hill (Lk.4:28-29). He walked through their midst and went His way (Lk.4:30).