All Eyes Fixed on Jesus - Part 513

As we know from the scriptures, Stephen wasn't the only one getting it right! Jesus, in Luke 4 also set the record straight - regardless of the potential consequences that He might have to face. Beginning in verse 14, Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and a report concerning Him went out through all the country side. He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. This should not come as a surprise. Indeed, people were astonished at Jesus' teaching  -- and His Word of authority.

However, when Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been raised, there were those who were not as impressed with Jesus' words. Still, He went into the synagogue as had been the custom on the Sabbath Day. There, Jesus stood up to read from the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it is written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind. To set at liberty those who are oppressed. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

And Jesus then closed the book and sat down. All eyes were fixed on Jesus so He began to say to them, "Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21)

But some of the hearers wondered at the "gracious words" because -- as they asked -- isn't this Joseph's son? The son of the carpenter?

Jesus said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself; what we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here also in your own country." And He said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land; and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarepath, in the land of Sidon to a woman who was a widow ... and there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."

When the people heard Jesus' message, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath and they rose and put Jesus out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down headlong. But passing through the midst of them, Jesus went on His way, for His time had not yet come.

The point is that getting the gospel right is critical to understanding one's purpose in life. In order to know the gospel, one has to read the Word. One has to know the Word -- Jesus. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. This same Word became flesh -- Jesus -- so that we might have salvation. Remember too that it was Jesus who preached the good news to the poor. It was Jesus who said that He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind. It was Jesus who sought out to set at liberty those who were oppressed.

There is a reason we trust Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. Rest in Jesus today, knowing that even before we start our day, Jesus is there walking with us every step of the way. Stand in the offering plate.