Home Coming!

Read Luke 4:14-30. Some homecoming - Jesus almost ends up dead! How can the crowd go from "all spoke well of him" (verse 22), to attempted murder? What set this crowd off? The passage from Isaiah by itself didn't do it. Not until Jesus brought up some sore history that pointed out that many times when God comes to do something among his people they're too proud to receive it so he goes to those who will. In verse 24-27 Jesus points out that God worked through people outside the nation of Israel. The crowd's anger doesn't make sense until you understand just how racist God's people had become. They saw themselves so far above others to bring up these stories of Elijah and Elisha as Jesus does is a smack in the face. 

Of course Jesus' point is that he came for all people - specifically those who realize they need God. His point is that your position, race, nationality, how religious you think you, your bible knowledge, history of church going, tithing may not mean much. Jesus is looking for those who are hungry for him. He is on a mission to preach the gospel to the poor, set prisoners free, give sight to the blind, release the oppressed and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. He first wants to do those things in us. In Jesus' hometown they thought he had a nice sermon but they didn't realize it was for them. They were the "poor, blind captives" who needed to be set free. They needed to be free from their superiority complex! They knew God came for them but refused to believe he could love others.

questions

1) Who are those you are quick to judge?

2) When you see someone that others look down on - do you avoid them or minister to them?

3) In what ways do you struggle with a superiority complex?

prayer

Father forgive me for judging and not loving. Your word says that you love the world so much you sent your son to die. Help me to love like you love. Give me your father's heart because mine is corrupt sometimes. Let me see what you see when you look at others. Open the eyes of my heart to hope in what others can be by your power in their life rather than simply what my eyes see.