Luke 4:14-30
Jesus Begins His Ministry

In his hometown synagogue, Jesus stands to read from Isaiah 61:1-2 and then sits to instruct the congregation, saying, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Pastor Dave described the people’s reaction – “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” – as a “Wait … What?!” moment. They had heard favorable reports of Jesus’ activities around Galilee, but this was an extraordinary claim. They knew Jesus; they had known him since his boyhood; his carpentry work graced their homes. How could he be the Messiah they had long expected? Their skepticism went beyond rejection to fury and a murderous desire to be rid of him.

Dave’s applications centered on evangelism. He first addressed anyone present who has not received Jesus as Savior and Lord. As Austin noted in his Communion meditation, a Sunday gathering of a healthy church will include people who are not followers of Jesus. Welcoming them and speaking truth to them is part of fulfilling the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Dave explained that vaguely believing in a nebulous God is not saving faith. Other unbelievers in our midst may have an intellectual, “head-only” faith. Still other unbelievers are pretenders. Everyone around them assumes they are believers, but the truth hidden deep in their hearts is that they are not. Pray for all of these – for soul-deep honesty and for divine grace that enables them to find the narrow gate that leads to life.

Dave also spoke to believers. We carry on Jesus’ ministry; he calls us to speak the truth of the gospel to others. To me, the most convicting thing Dave said involved talking about Jesus to family. Many of us find that intimidating and scary, and we shy away. “Isn’t this my sister Carol? What does she know?” Pray that we will fear God more than we fear man. Beseech God for courage and boldness and words. Pray for Holy Spirit reminders that rejection is to be expected and that its source is the evil one, not your inadequacy.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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