The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand, 1:1-28:20

The Galilean Ministry, 8:1-18:35

Reaction of the King, 13:53–19:2

Jesus‘ Withdrawal, 13:54-17:27

The Fourth Discourse, 13:53-17:23

REJECTION AT NAZARETH (Last Sunday after Trinity)

13:54-58; Mar 6:1-; Lu 4:16-30

Reading:Joh 20:30-31.

INTRODUCTION

A. What is your personal perception of Jesus and what do you think of all the miracles he did?

B. At Nazareth, the people knew his power but rejected him anyway.

I. OFFER OF HOPE, 13:53-54

KJV-ASV

A. ... when Jesus had finished these parables he departed ..., 13:53; Mar 6:1; Lu 4:16.

53 ¶ And <2532> it came to pass <1096> (5633), [when ASV] that when <3753> Jesus <2424> had finished <5055> (5656) these <5025> parables <3850>, he departed <3332> (5656) thence <1564>.

1. Having finished teaching in that region, Jesus departed with his disciples, for his home town area.

2. Teaching was part of Jesus’ main mission in life and perhpas like anyone else knowing the truth, he wanted to return to his hometown, probably seeking a quiet rest and to reach out to old acquaintances.

3. The best place to do that would have been where the people gathered.

B. ... he taught them in their synagogue , insomuch that they were astonished ..., 13:54; Mar 6:2; Lu 4:16-22.

54 And <2532> [coming ASV] when he was come <2064> (5631) into <1519> his own <846> country <3968>, he taught <1321> (5707) them <846> in <1722> their <846> synagogue <4864>, insomuch that <5620> they <846> were astonished <1605> (5745), and <2532> said <3004> (5721), Whence <4159> hath this man <5129> this <3778> wisdom <4678>, and <2532> these mighty works <1411>?

1. Luke mentioned that Jesus‘ home town was Nazareth, Lu 4:16; cf. Mic 5:2: Mat 2:23; 4:13 .

2. Mark and Luke mentioned that on the Sabbath Jesus taught in the synagogue, cf. 4:23; 12:9.

a. From other scriptures it would seem that there was a open invitation in the synagogue for guests to address the assembly, cf. Lu 4:16 ff; Ac 13:13-15.

b. Jesus read from the Book of Isaiah, Lu 4:17-21.

3. astonished, 1605 EKPLESSO {ek-place'-so} from 1537 and 4141;; v AV - be astonished 10, be amazed 3; 13 1) to strike out, expel by a blow, drive out or away 2) to cast off by a blow, to drive out 2a) commonly, to strike one out of self-possession, to strike with panic, shock, astonish 3) to be struck with amazement, astonished, amazed

For Synonyms see entry 5841

5744 Tense - Present See 5774

Voice - Passive See 5786

Mood - Imperative See 5794

Count - 48

4. The people were astonished at Jesus‘:

a. wisdom, cp. Lu 2:41-50.

b. and his works, Mat 8:23-27.

Transition: However, as astonished as the people in the text were, they rejected his word and took offense at what he taught.

II. OFFENSE AT HEARING, 13:55-58; Mar 6:; Lu 4:22-27.

A. Is not this the carpenter's son ..., 13:55-56.

55 Is <2076> (5748) not <3756> this <3778> the carpenter's <5045> son <5207>? is <3004> <0> not <3780> his <846> mother <3384> called <3004> (5743) Mary <3137>? and <2532> his <846> brethren <80>, James <2385>, and <2532> [Joseph ASV] Joses <2500>, and <2532> Simon <4613>, and <2532> Judas <2455>?

56 And <2532> his <846> sisters <79>, are they <1526> (5748) not <3780> all <3956> with <4314> us <2248>? Whence <4159> then <3767> hath this man <5129> all <3956> these things <5023>?

1. Much like many people today who can‘t see beyond Jesus‘ humanity, the people of Nazareth, with contemptuous questions, explained that they could not understand how one of their own could have the wisdom and works as did Jesus.

a. They knew his earthly family (literally his father, mother, brothers and sister - they were not cousins), cf. Mat 12:46; Mar 3:32; Joh 2:12.

b. Some of them saw him grow. He was just a man and no better than any of them.

c. In response to their comments about who he was, Jesus mentioned that a prophet was not accepted by his own people, Lu 4:22-27; cf. Mar 6:4; Joh 4:44.

d. Nathanael had one time asked if anything good could come out of Nazareth, Joh 1:46.

2. However, they knew the evidence clearly pointed out that Jesus was more than a mere carpenter‘s son.

3. The problem the people had with Jesus was probably not so much the evidence but that they knew the evidence pointed to obeying his word. To someone they knew, they were unwilling to submit themselves.

a. It is not unusual for those who know the messager to reject s/he, cp. Ge 37:1-20.

b. It probably will be similar for you and I.

c. Those who watched us grow up, who saw us struggle, or worse, saw us give in earlier in life, may reject our efforts to reach them with God’s word, just because they know us.

B. ... they were offended in him ..., 13:57-58; Mar 6:; Lu 4:28-30.

57 And <2532> they were offended <4624> (5712) in <1722> him <846>. But <1161> Jesus <2424> said <2036> (5627) unto them <846>, A prophet <4396> is <2076> (5748) not <3756> without [honor ASV] honour <820>, save <1508> in <1722> his own <846> country <3968>, and <2532> in <1722> his own <846> house <3614>.

58 And <2532> he did <4160> (5656) not <3756> many <4183> mighty works <1411> there <1563> because <1223> of their <846> unbelief <570>.

1. Jesus’ earthly ministry was characterized by great demonstrations of power - healing the sick, casting out demons, calming the storms, feeding the thousands (with what originally would have only fed a few), raising the dead and giving sight to the blind, Lazarus.

a. Yet when He came to his childhood home of Nazareth “he did not many mighty works there.” Why?

b. The reason was, “because of their unbelief.”

(1) Could it be that sometimes when we anticipate God’s good works in our lives, they don‘t come to fruition because of our unbelief?

(2) What can we do when we see unbelief taking over our brethren, cp. He 3:12-13; 10:24-25?

c. So in Nazareth, his visit was characterized not by an open reception but by skepticism and unbelief.

d. They had allowed jealousy, pride and self-conceit to blind their eyes to a godly response.

e. Brethren don’t ever allow the “I’m as good as you” mentality to get in the way of God’s word when it is presented to you. If the word read or taught affects you, don’t reject it. Receive it and apply it to your life.

2. What leads people to skepticism in faith or unbeliever? How do we explain why faith fails? It occurs as a result of creating an unworkable environment in our lives, in which the action of God‘s word can’t work. Some causes are:

a. Unstudied scriptures or lack of study of the Bible, Ro 10:17.

(1) The primary way that God imparts faith is through the word, cf. Mar 4:24; 1Pe 2:2.

(2) The story has been told about a famous man in Colorado history, Mr. Tabor. He was a successful miner and made millions from his "Matchless mine" near Cripple Creek. He divorced his wife in order that he might marry the beautiful divorcee known as "Baby Doe." This new marriage was such a social events of the early West, even the president of the United States was invited and came to the wedding. Soon, Mr. Tabor ran into misfortune: he lost all his money and died a broken-hearted and a poor man. Just before he died he gave Baby Doe this final admonition: "Have faith in the matchless mine; never give it up; it will give you back all that I have lost." Taking him at his word, Baby Doe remained near that matchless mine for 36 years, during many times of adversity. The article ended by saying: "In 1935 she died in a dilapidated shack near the mine, her hopes never realized. Her life was a dismal failure and she came to a sad end because she put hope and faith in the wrong object." Many people are doing a similar thing today. They put there hopes and faith in the wrong place.

b. Unattended fellowship or abandoning the assemblies, He 10:25.

c. Unconfessed Sin, He 3:7-13.

d. Unfocussed Sight, He 12:1-2.

(1) Satan attempts to distract us with many things.

(2) {Golf great] Arnold Palmer recalls a lesson about overconfidence: It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I felt I was in pretty good shape. As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out his hand and said, “Congratulations.” I took his hand and shook it, but as soon as I did, I knew I had lost my focus. On my next two shots, I hit the ball into a sand trop, then put it over the edge of the green. I missed a putt and lost the Masters. You don’t forget a mistake like that; you just learn from it and become determined that you will never do that again. I haven’t in the 30 years since. Carol Mann, The 19th Hole (Longmeadow), quoted in Reader’s Digest

CONCLUSION:

Are you rejecting Jesus with your life and response to his word or are you proving him over and over?

Preached:

Fargo, ND November 28, 1999

Bibliography:

Mike Grover, Why Our Faith Fails

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