Rejection in Nazareth

00:00:00 Speaker 1: The spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted. Looke for eighteen. Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending your son Jesus, who proclaimed freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind. We acknowledge our deep need for your grace and healing in our lives. Lord, transform our hearts to reflect your love and compassion. Grant us the strength to share your good news with those in need, and empower us to bring your light to the broken hearted. May we be instruments of your peace, spreading hope and healing wherever we go. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're tuned in to the Jesus Podcast, Gospel inspired stories crafted to entertain, teach, and transform. If you've enjoyed this podcast, we would appreciate it if you took the time to leave a review and share it on your social media. These small steps don't seem like much, but they help us tremendously. Thanks for making the mission possible. The small room glowed with the flickering flames of a fire that roared in the hearth. The smell of roasted fish and freshly baked cakes dotted with dates and raisins filled the air. Setting in a corner, Jesus listened to the tired chatter of his ragtag team of followers as bouts of laughter had dispersed their conversations. To his delight, they had kept up with the ever changing predicaments they found themselves in. He spent most of the day teaching parables to the people before departing from them. As had become their habit, the disciples went with Jesus wherever he was staying, with questions about the hidden meanings of his teachings. Having satiated their curious minds for the time being, Jesus found a seat in the back of the room. He stared into the flickering candle on the table and let out a sigh. Though he was the son of God, even he found himself tired at the end of long days spent ministering to the multitudes that followed him. Though his body tempted him to make his way to bed, Jesus heart longed to seclude himself to spend time with the Father. He arose from his seat, the wood creaking under his shifting weight. The disciples paused their camraderie and looked over as Jesus made his way to the door. Simon spoke, are you going somewhere? 00:03:20 Speaker 2: Master? 00:03:21 Speaker 3: Do you need someone to come with you? 00:03:23 Speaker 1: Of course, Simon was speaking of himself. He had dutifully taken the self appointed responsibility of ensuring Jesus always had adequate protection. 00:03:34 Speaker 3: Was it something we said. I'm sure we could get John to quiet down if you need. 00:03:40 Speaker 4: Hey me, you were the one who started with the jokes. 00:03:44 Speaker 5: I was just. 00:03:45 Speaker 1: Jesus raised his hand calmly to interrupt their dispute. He smiled at the disciples and replied, I. 00:03:52 Speaker 6: Assure you none of you have done anything wrong. In fact, I quite enjoyed the jokes, though some of you could work on your delivery. Simon, I appreciate your willingness to come along, but please stay and enjoy yourself of it. 00:04:08 Speaker 1: Back shortly, Jesus stood by himself on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The landscape sloped delicately under the setting sun's golden hues. A lot had happened since his baptism in the Jordan. The monotonous life of carpentry that had once filled jesus days had been replaced with a life of growing notoriety. Words of his deeds were spreading through the region like wildfire. Each day was different from the last. The miracles Jesus performed and the profound teachings he shared had caught the ears and hearts of many. The towns surrounding the Sea of Galilee were bursting with stories of the unexpected. Did Rabbi from Nazareth as his mind recounted the day Jesus lifted his eyes to the heavens. He gazed upon the stars filling the night sky with a tapestry of lights. These were the same stars Abraham beheld centuries before. Most Jews knew it was a story passed down, but Jesus knew the story more intimately as one who had been there. Abraham was given a blessing, a blessing meant for the whole world to receive. 00:05:39 Speaker 6: Father in heaven, hollow it be your name. I've come to do your will upon the earth where your spirit leads I would go. I desire that this world would know you through me. Open their eyes, Father, give them the spirit of discernment, take their hearts of stone, and give them hearts of flesh. 00:06:02 Speaker 1: Jesus took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly. It pained Jesus to know that he wouldn't be welcome by every one. He meant. His desire was that none would perish under the weight of their sins. It was this immense love that drove him onward each day. Soon this love would carry him to Nazareth, where he once called home. He was excited about the chance to see his family. He missed his mother and would be grateful for the opportunity to see her, But in the back of his mind, he knew that this would be about the only warm welcome he would get in his home town. Jesus made his way back through the dark landscape. Outside the house, he could still hear some of the disciples, though their rowdiness had died down. He opened the door and was greeted by Simon, Andrew, James, and John. 00:07:06 Speaker 4: Welcome back, Rabbi. The others may have already gone to bed, but we wanted to make sure you made it back all right. 00:07:14 Speaker 6: Thank you, my friends. Rest assured I'm back in one piece, And now it seems like a good time to rest your weary eyes as well. I think Andrew has already started to doze off. 00:07:26 Speaker 1: Andrew's was slumped over, perched on Simon's shoulder. He woke with a fright as Simon gave him a slight nudge. 00:07:34 Speaker 6: Come now off to bed. We have some walking to do tomorrow. 00:07:41 Speaker 7: Are you in pain after walking, running, or even just standing. It's not your feet, it's your shoes. This summer, switched to Gediphi shoes with patentive Verso shock technology, which aligns your body, provides superior shock absorption and trampoline like energy. Return all souls and styles for any activity, plus two free orthotics. Whether you're an athlete, a busy parent, or always on the go, Gediphi shoes deliver the comfort and versatility your fee crave. Say goodbye to discomfort and hello to unparalleled support this summer. Enjoy a special summer offer. Visit gediphi dot com and get twenty dollars off your order of one hundred dollars or more with code pray. Experience the miracle of ultimate comfort with Gediphi shoes. Visit g d e f y dot com today. 00:08:40 Speaker 2: Has Jesus become too familiar to you? Has your faith become so mundane that you've stopped being in awe of God? We can only wake up the wonder in our hearts by pushing through boundaries and leaning into the unexpected. This is the Jesus podcast I'm Ethan with pray dot Com. Today is day two of our miniseries on Jesus disrupting the status quo and showing us a new way to live. This series showcases Jesus's teachings and passion, and we'll learn about God's heart for people and for his kingdom. Today, we're going to talk about a story from Jesus' life that might surprise you, the time when he was rejected by his own hometown of Nazareth. You see, sometimes the most familiar things can lose their wonder When God becomes too comfortable, too familiar, we risk losing the awe and reverence that should come naturally to our faith. So let's take a closer look at this story. Inspired by Luke Chapter four, verses sixteen through thirty. 00:09:47 Speaker 1: The disciples made an early start to the day Jesus instructed them to pack their belongings for a trip. 00:09:54 Speaker 2: Where did he say we were going again. 00:09:57 Speaker 4: Do you ever listen when he speaks, we're going to Nazareth? 00:10:01 Speaker 3: Oh? No, I know, it's just surprising. I mean he's from there, and even he left to make his home in Capernium. 00:10:09 Speaker 1: Simon cut off his brother's rambling thoughts. 00:10:12 Speaker 3: Listen, I don't care where we go, as long as we stop to eat. 00:10:16 Speaker 2: Soon. 00:10:18 Speaker 5: I could do with some food too, However, we may have to wait on that. You remember what happened last time we plucked grain on the Sabbath, don't you. 00:10:28 Speaker 1: Philip turned round and made a face, and yes, that John. 00:10:32 Speaker 4: What you think. I was the first to start hicking grain. James did it first. I was just following my big brother. Ah. 00:10:40 Speaker 3: The only time you'd ever admit to following my lead is to get out of trouble. You did it with our bahnima, and you're still doing it now. 00:10:48 Speaker 6: Please please, friends, no need for finger pointing. You did nothing wrong. But to be clear, it was definitely Simon who picked the first grain. 00:10:57 Speaker 1: Jesus said this with a wink and mild at Simon the disciple was doing everything he could to earn the favor of their rabbi, but he was still learning the intricacies of when Jesus was joking. 00:11:11 Speaker 6: Ah, there it is home. 00:11:14 Speaker 1: The group had just crested a small hill, and Jesus pointed down into the naturally formed basin. The disciples directed their gaze to where Jesus was pointing. Nesseled in the valley was a small village, scattered with freshly plowed fields and grazing livestock. 00:11:33 Speaker 3: It's lovely cruel, Glazarus. 00:11:38 Speaker 1: Nathaniel said this with a forced smile. He couldn't help but feel bad about his remarks against Nazareth when he had first heard about Jesus. Philip wrapped his arm around his friend and gave him a loving shake. 00:11:53 Speaker 5: Let's see if some good can come out of Nazareth, n Nathaniel. 00:11:59 Speaker 6: It's all right, Nathaniel. I know what people say about my home. I wish I could say all of it was wrong, but it has its charms most days. 00:12:09 Speaker 1: Jesus seemed to trail off as he spoke the last few words. He looked ahead distractedly as the disciples fell silent. I'm sure if they should say anything from response, but Jesus was the first to break the silence. 00:12:25 Speaker 6: Would be heading to the synagogue shortly. I've arranged to teach this lovely shabbat. I feel you'll be very interested in reading today, but I have a very important stop. 00:12:35 Speaker 1: To make first. They worked their way into town. As Jesus led them to a little house, there were signs that the structure needed some care. The facade was starting to show its age, and the roof was clearly falling in certain places. Jesus strode up to the door and gently knocked. The voice of a woman came from the back of the house. 00:13:00 Speaker 8: I'm sorry, but I can't come to the door right now. I'm on my way to the synagogue and I'm meeting someone very special there. 00:13:06 Speaker 6: Please forgive the inconvenience. Perhaps I can make it up to you by walking you there myself. 00:13:12 Speaker 1: A gasp could be heard from within, followed by quick footsteps. The door swung open, almost hitting Jesus. Outstepped a woman who wrapped her arms around Jesus, pulling him into a firm embrace. 00:13:28 Speaker 8: Jesus, oh my boy, how are you. How is the trip? Have you eaten today? You can't teach on an empty stomach. Please, I prepared enough food for you yesterday, knowing you'd be here. 00:13:41 Speaker 6: Emma, Emma, I'm doing marvelous, especially now that I'm here with you. We couldn't possibly inconvenience you on such short notice. Plus, it's about time we made our way out to the synagogue. The office still stands to walk together. 00:13:55 Speaker 8: I wouldn't have it any other way. You can introduce me to these boys. They look thin like you. All that walking and not enough eating. 00:14:04 Speaker 6: Yes, Emma, we've been traveling quite a bit. 00:14:07 Speaker 8: Your sisters will be at synagogue today. James and Josephs left for Galilee before Shabbat. They won't be back until next week. 00:14:15 Speaker 1: The people of Nazareth gathered together in their humble synagogue. Candles stood on lampstands. Set about the room. At the center stood a stone dais affixed with a wooden chair. Jesus sat upright as men and women circled it. Jesus rose to his feet as someone handed him a scrawl. He unrolled it with a gentleness. As his eyes scanned the parchment, he smiled. 00:14:47 Speaker 6: A reading from the prophet Isaiah. The spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. 00:15:11 Speaker 1: Jesus rolled the scroll back up before handing it back to the attendant. He took his seat once again. Every pair of eyes in the room were fastened to him. For a startling boldness, Jesus began. 00:15:27 Speaker 6: To teach today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. 00:15:34 Speaker 1: And there was a long, lingering silence, then a few murmurs that cut through. 00:15:41 Speaker 2: What does he desay? 00:15:42 Speaker 8: What is fulfilled? The day of the Lord is here? 00:15:46 Speaker 3: What does he mean? 00:15:47 Speaker 6: I am he of who the prophets foretold in the wilderness, the spirits of God descended upon me, with John the Baptist as my witness. 00:15:57 Speaker 2: This is Joseph's son speaking good prophet. 00:16:01 Speaker 8: The man who made my cabinet is now claiming to have the spirit. 00:16:04 Speaker 6: Of God, as the Father has instructed me to do. I have come to proclaim the good news of God's salvation to the poor. Today. I declare freedom for the prisoners, Sight shall be restored to the blind, and all those who have been oppressed will be loosened from their chains. For this, it's the year of the Lord's favor. 00:16:26 Speaker 1: The crowd was astonished at the authority and grace with which Jesus spoke. They had known Jesus since he was a boy, and they wondered amongst themselves how the son of Joseph had come to teach the scriptures with such command. Jesus carried on with the teaching. 00:16:48 Speaker 8: Prove these things, Jesus, we heard what you did at the wedding in Capernaum. 00:16:52 Speaker 6: Ah, yes, I'm sure many of you were excited for me to come today. Surely you'll quote this proverb to me, physician yourself, and you will tell me, we have heard what you have done in Capernaum, do the same work here in your hometown. 00:17:06 Speaker 1: The people nodded their heads in approval. They felt as though they had been given a great honor to be witness to Jesus' words that day. But the feeling didn't last long. 00:17:20 Speaker 6: Truly, I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I am sure that during Elijah's time there were many widows in Israel. Yet you yourselves know that though the sky was shut up for three and a half years, and though there was a severe famine throughout the land. Elijah was not sent to any of them. Instead, the Lord brought him to a lowly widow, a gentile widow. And when Elishah prophesied to the people, there were many in Israel with leprosy, yet not one of them was cleansed. But who was Nayman the Syrian, a gentile, was healed of his affliction. 00:18:01 Speaker 1: Realizing the meaning behind Jesus' words, the people became furious. They shouted with disapproval, demanding Jesus refrain from speaking any further. 00:18:13 Speaker 5: Get this man out of here. He speaks of what he does not know. Surely God has not turned his back on his own people in favor of the gentiles. 00:18:22 Speaker 8: This man should be put to death for the blasphemy he speaks. 00:18:26 Speaker 1: Many in the crowd raised their voices in agreement. Clamoring toward Jesus. They seized him by the arms, pulling him towards the door. Mary let out a wail as her son was forced from the synagogue. The disciples tried to push their way through the people, but were held back by the men who remained in the synagogue. 00:18:47 Speaker 5: I saw these men come in with this supposed rabbi. Keep them here until we get back, then we can figure out what to do with them. 00:18:56 Speaker 3: Let us go, Where are you taking him, Jesus. 00:19:00 Speaker 1: A group of men led Jesus to the edge of town. They marched their way determinedly up a hill. Farmers and shepherds banded together to form their own miniature army. Their footsteps pounded on the dry ground, with each angered step in their eyes. Jesus crime deserved the most severe of punishments, his permanent silence. As the ad hoc troop reached the top of the hill, they overlooked a large cliff. One of the men stepped forward out of the group. 00:19:36 Speaker 5: Jesus, son of Joseph, Today you have blasphemed against the low dow God. For this most unholy crime. The people have come to the consensus that you must be put to death this day. 00:19:50 Speaker 1: Jesus stared back at the man, a burning intensity billowing in his eyes. The muscles in his forearmed tentsed, revealing a string that caught them in holding him by surprise. Jesus pushed out his chest as a sign of his fortitude. He looked at each one of the men there. His heart broke for them, but he knew the work of the Father was not finished. 00:20:18 Speaker 2: Yet. 00:20:18 Speaker 6: You call me a blasphemer. You say I do not know of what I speak. But I say to you this day the Lord is with me, and my Father's will will be accomplished through me. I was there when the prophets spoke of the Lord's behalf over all of Israel. And just as God sustained them through their rejection, so too shall he sustain me. I will not die this day. 00:20:47 Speaker 1: Everyone gathered by the cliff was rigid, as though they had been turned to pillars of salt for their disobedience. With little effort, Jesus shook off the hands of the men who had restrained him. Jesus passed through their midst without a word. He made his way swiftly back to the synagogue. There he found his mother weeping as the disciples surrounded her in fruitless attempts to console her. 00:21:17 Speaker 6: Emma, dry your tears. 00:21:19 Speaker 8: Everything is all right, oh Jesus, praise I den'tny You're safe. The men said that. 00:21:29 Speaker 1: She couldn't get herself to finish. Tears began to fall again. Jesus walked to his mother, falling into the dust beside her, He wrapped his arms around her, wiping the tears from her face. 00:21:44 Speaker 6: Let's get you home. We've all had a long day. 00:21:51 Speaker 2: Jesus had just returned to Nazareth, where he grew up. This was the town where he played as a child, where he learned his trade as a carpenter, where everyone knew him as Joseph's son. So when he walked into the synagogue that Sabbath day, it was just like old times, except that this time things were about to be very different, as was the custom. Jesus stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, and he found the place where it was written. The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke, Chapter four, verses eighteen through nineteen. Now imagine the people listening. They had heard these words many times before. But when Jesus finished reading, he sat down and said something extraordinary. Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing Luke, chapter four, verse twenty one. In other words, Jesus was saying the Messiah Isaiah talked about that's me. The people were amazed at first, but then something shifted. They started whispering among themselves. Isn't this Joseph's son? How could this familiar face be the Messiah? This is where we see a truth that still rings true today. Familiarity can breed complacency. The people of Nazareth had seen Jesus grow up. They knew his family, they watched him work in his father's shop. So when he declared that he was the fulfillment of prophecy, they couldn't wrap their minds around it. Jesus had become too familiar, too ordinary, for them to recognize his divinity. This can happen to us, too, can't it. We get so used to hearing about God, so familiar with the stories and the rituals, that we start to take him for granted. Our prayers can become routine, our worship can become mechanical, and before we know it, the wonder of our faith starts to fade. But Jesus didn't come to be ordinary. He came to be extraordinary in our lives. He came to shake us out of our comfort zones, to challenge us, to call us to a deeper, more awe filled relationship with God. When the people of Nazareth started doubting, Jesus didn't back down. He reminded them of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, who perform miracles for Gentiles rather than Israelites, because the Israelites lacked faith. In saying this, Jesus was challenging their small mindedness, their inability to see beyond their own expectations. And how did they respond with anger? They were so upset that they tried to throw Jesus off a cliff, But in the midst of their rage, Jesus simply walked right through the crowd and went on his way. What a moment that must have been. Jesus, full of grace and truth, challenging the people to se see beyond the familiar, to recognize the wonder and power of God even in the most ordinary of circumstances. So what about us? Have we allowed our faith to become too comfortable, too familiar? Have we lost the sense of awe and wonder that comes with being children of God? If we're not careful, we can fall into the same trap as the people of Nazareth. We can become so accustomed to God's presence that we forget just how amazing, how extraordinary He truly is. But here's the good news. It's never too late to recapture that wonder. We can start today, right now by pushing the boundaries of our faith. By seeking God with fresh eyes in an open heart, we can ask Him to reveal himself to us in new ways, to remind us of the power and the beauty of His love. Let's not let our faith become mundane or routine. Let's keep our hearts over open to the awe and the wonder of who God is and what He's doing in our lives.