Christ-Light Connections: Jesus is Rejected in Nazareth & Healing in the Synagogue at Capernaum

The spiritual war over the fate of God’s word intensified as Jesus continued his ministry. Satan held tight to the hearts of the people. In these two stories, we see the evidence of his work in the synagogues, the place where the light of God’s word should have shone the brightest. But now, the Word himself was here and battling for the hearts of his people.

The Christ-Light theme this week is Some reject Jesus, some accept him.

NT1 8A

Jesus is Rejected in Nazareth — Matthew 13:53-58; Luke 4:14-30

Context

What do you know about small towns compared to cities? In a small town, everyone knows everyone. Lives are intertwined as you eke out a living together with the few resources your village has to offer. Relationships are deeper and closer.

Nazareth was a tiny farming village located away from any main trade routes. The estimated population during Jesus’ day ranged from 120-400 people. Even one of Jesus’ disciples, Nathaniel, was shocked that the Messiah would come from such a place. He said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). This village was the home of Joseph and Mary. Jesus would have been known as the child of a scandalous pregnancy and a carpenter’s son.

These are still the early days of Jesus’ ministry. Luke includes this event just after his baptism and temptation. As was traditional for a Jewish town, the men gathered at the synagogue on the Sabbath to hear the Word of the LORD. How proud they must have been to listen to the message of their very own homegrown rabbi.

Big Ideas

Jesus Declares his Identity and Mission (Luke 4:16-21)

Jesus read from Isaiah 61. This Old Testament prophesy was two-fold. First, it was about the Babylonian captivity. As punishment for their unbelief, God’s people were forced to leave the promised land and live and serve under a pagan nation. After 70 years, they were allowed to return to their homeland to rebuild and restore what was lost.

As Jesus says, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing,” he is claiming part two of the prophecy. “I am not just a rabbi; I am the Messiah.” Isaiah also spoke of spiritual captivity. Sin has left us poor, blind, and oppressed. Jesus was here to bring us the riches of a restored relationship with God, faith and understanding for our sin-darkened hearts, and freedom from the bondage of hell.

The year of the LORD’s favor is a reference to the year of Jubilee, which was part of the Jewish tradition established by God (Leviticus 25). Every fifty years, land that had been sold would return to the original owner, those who sold themselves into slavery were released, and the fields were left fallow for a year to rest. The year of Jubilee was established as another picture of the coming eternal redemption and rest.

Conversation Starter:

• Read the rest of Isaiah 61 and notice the heavenly meaning. These words were written for our comfort.

No Prophet is Accepted in his Home Town (Matthew 13: 55-58, Luke 4:22-27)

The Nazarenes were given a shocking and perhaps confusing message. Initially, it seems they were proud of how learned and well-spoken their boy, Jesus, had become. However, most Jews at this time were looking for a savior from the Roman oppression, not a rescue from their sins. The carpenter’s claim of bringing eternal salvation was too much for them.

Furthermore, Mary and Joseph’s son had the gall to compare them to their unbelieving ancestors. The Nazarenes were blind to their own sins, just as the Israelites were during Elijah and Elisha’s time. Their ancestry wasn’t enough to give them salvation. Only faith would lead them to see they were as poor as the starving Gentile widow from Zarephath and as sick as the Gentile heathen, Naaman.

Conversation Starter:

• In Matthew’s account, it says that Jesus did not do many miracles there. Why do you think miracles could have been damaging to their souls?

Jesus Went on His Way (Luke 4:28-30)

These verses foreshadow what was to come for Jesus. His own people would reject him, and as a raging mob, they would end his life. On this day, Jesus miraculously walked away from the Nazarenes. It was not yet time to die.

Conversation Starter:

• How does this story prove Jesus willingly went to the cross? Why is this important?

Digging Deeper

Seeds of Faith includes Law and Gospel points as well as discussion questions.

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NT1 8B

Healing in the Synagogue at Capernaum — Mark 1:21-28, Luke 4:31-37

Context

There are just a few places in the Bible where we get a peek behind the curtain that separates the physical world from the spiritual world. Demons, along with Satan, are spiritual beings who rebelled against God and wanted to take the place of God. Satan, which in Hebrew means “the adversary”, is against anything that is good and desires to ruin God’s creation. He and the demons spread disorder, chaos, and death, attempting to drag humanity into their darkness away from God.

Big Ideas

Demon Possession

Demon possession is when a human is tormented or controlled by a spiritual being. Sometimes they are wild and violent. Sometimes they cause physical disabilities. In Jesus’ day, it seemed to be shockingly common. This could be because Jesus, as God, could identify who was possessed, whereas we cannot in the same way. There also may have been an extreme amount because this was the time of the greatest spiritual warfare. God incarnate had descended to earth to work out his plan of salvation. Once complete, the world would be restored from the disorder and chaos and be rescued from darkness and death.

Conversation Starters:

• Do Christians need to fear demon possession? (Read Ephesians 6:10-18)
• Anyalze the picture bellow that is based on this passage.

The Power of the Word (Luke 4:31-37)

This story zeros in on the power of the word of Jesus. At the synagogue, the people weren’t just amazed, the Greek says they were dumbfounded. Finally, they had the opportunity to hear God’s true and uncorrupted message about salvation. Jesus brought life and shone a light in the darkness.

Suddenly, the curtain between the earth the spiritual realm was drawn back. In great fear of the light, a demon suddenly cries out. Then, with a simple command, Jesus silences the evil spirit and sends it away. The man is set free! This passage reminds me of John 1:5. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Conversation Starters:

• How does Satan try to dim or extinguish the light in the church today?
• I recently saw this quote on social media, “Be the kind of person that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, ‘Oh crap, she’s up.'” Is this quote encouraging or dangerous? (Apologies for the vulgarity.)