The Response of Nazareth to Jesus

And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way, Luke 4:22-30


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The people of Nazareth were not willing to participate in the inventory that Jesus presented to them. When they understood that He thought that they needed to be helped, rescued, delivered from prison, they were so angry that they were willing to kill Jesus to shut Him up. This is the inevitable position of someone who is afraid of an inventory. God can not help us if will not allow us to hear the truth about ourselves. So when the Nazarites heard that He thought that they needed help, they turned on Him rather than address the addictive thinking and feeling.

Prayer for Today: God, You already know that we are afraid of You and afraid of the truth You want to bring to us. We usually try to hide ourselves in our addictive behaviors so that we will not have to deal with You. Grant us the gift of courage that we will trust that You are by our sides and that You will not leave us alone to face these crises on our own. Thank You for Your great mercies that You show to us.