Hometown Rejection

Gary Larson, the American cartoonist famous for The Far Side, sometimes referred to Bible stories. In one cartoon, he illustrated “Moses as a kid” parting his cup of water at the dining table.

Interviewers often ask celebrities and athletes, “Were you a painter, artist, sculpturist, runner, athlete, etc., as a child?” Sometimes, people in their hometown will say, “I knew her (or him) as a kid and never thought s/he would be a famous ________.”

Jesus was no exception. John baptized him, the Holy Spirit filled him, and the devil tested him. After all that, he returned to his hometown, Nazareth, and entered the synagogue as was his custom and shared the good news with them from the Scriptures (Luke 4:14–16).

In those days, the far end of the synagogues (like where church pulpits are) had a curtain. Behind it, on shelves, sat scrolls of OT. The “attendant” oversaw them by keeping them safe, taking them out to read, and putting them back on the shelves.

As Jesus stood to read the Scriptures, the attendant gave him Isaiah’s scroll (Luke 4:17). Jesus turned to a prophecy about him that was being fulfilled in their midst and read,

“YHWH’s Spirit is upon me, who has anointed me to give good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim the liberation of the captives, recovery of eyesight to the blinds, and to lead the brokenhearted in forgiveness – to proclaim the favorable year of YHWH.” (Luke 4:18–19).

Isaiah had predicted disasters that would fall upon Israel because of their disobedience and idolatry (chaps. 1–39) but also God’s deliverance of them (chaps. 40–66). In the later section, he prophesied this portion – God would pour his Spirit upon the Anointed One who would bring good news to the poor by providing them basic needs, the blind by giving them eyesight, those held captive to evil one’s dominion freedom, and forgiveness to the brokenhearted. God would again enter their camp and deliver them from their pitiful state.

Jesus read that portion, handed over the scroll to the attendant, sat on the seat of Moses (where preachers sat to explain the OT), and while all eyes looked at him intently for an explanation of what he read, gave the smallest explanation:

“Today, this writing is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)

Nine words in Greek (and eight in English). That was all he had to say, and in the following three years, he would demonstrate how he fulfilled that prophecy by providing food to thousands, opening the eyes of many blind people, freeing several people from Satan’s possession and illnesses, and reinstituting honor and freedom to lepers, sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, and abused. He was filled with YHWH’s Spirit as his Anointed Messenger.

His hometown people, however, didn’t see his value. Although they thought his words were grace-filled, they said, “Isn’t he Joseph’s son?” meaning, “What was he talking about being YHWH’s Anointed?” (Luke 4:22b). Because of their lack of faith, Jesus saw them as “physicians” who didn’t need his help. They could heal themselves.

Their neglect of God’s Anointed wasn’t new: their ancestors had done the same with Elijah and Elisha (Luke 2:24–27). When he said these, they became angry and wanted to harm him (Luke 4:28–29). But he walked past them unnoticed (Luke 4:30).

Sometimes, we can become so familiar with Jesus that we forget his power. Even now, he is God’s Anointed and heals the physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually needy.