Luke 4:17-21

Returning to Galilee, full of the Holy Spirit, Jesus taught in the synagogues. News spread about Him throughout the whole countryside and Scripture tells us, “Everyone praised Him”. Praise precedes revelation. These people were ready to receive truth and Truth is exactly what was received (even though eventually not accepted)! He entered Nazareth, the town He was raised in, and on the Sabbath went into the synagogue. Our Scripture today is what follows. Being handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus begins to read His job description. He starts out by stating that He had been anointed. The Greek word translated “anointed” was only used five times in the New Testament four times referring to Christ and once referring to Christians. The anointing - always done by God. The reference to Christians is found in II Corinthians:21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Cor 1:21-22 (NIV)
Believers in Christ are owned by God (I Corinthians 6:19-20). His Spirit resides within us to equip us and as our deposit for what is yet to come – our taste of heaven in the here and now. Our job descriptions are the words read by Jesus. We are to preach the good news; to evangelize the poor – those that have not yet received the Truth. We are to herald the remission of sins to those in bondage so that eyes will be opened to the gospel of Christ. We are to be an ambassador for the forgiveness of sins - proclaiming God’s favor. Jesus has given us the authority to go forth in His Name so that we can make disciples to disciple. We were never meant to hoard Truth. Sit, soak and sour is not God’s intention for His children! As Jesus rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down, all eyes were fastened on Him – they were stretching their heads to look steadfastly at Him. Can you even imagine their response to His statement? They were definitely paying attention to His words when He tells them: "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:21 (NIV)
That had to blow them out of the water! The Jews knew that Isaiah was referring to their Messiah – they understood precisely what Jesus was telling them yet they refused to believe: 28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way. Luke 4:28-30 (NIV)
As believers, we must not be surprised when others don’t embrace the Truth espoused. The servant is certainly not greater than the Master. We are told in Matthew: 24 "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household! 26 "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt 10:24-28 (NIV)
Acceptance or lack of acceptance of Truth of the hearer does not negate our call to obedience in proclaiming the Good News to others. We are responsible to proclaim, God is responsible for the results. Persevere Christian in this good work!