Monday 16 March 2009
- Bible Book:
- Luke
"Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah ... yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon." (v.24-26)
Background
This passage is set in the synagogue in Nazareth.
Jesus is reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, chapter 61"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me..." and concludes the reading bysaying "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing"(verse 21). The people in Jesus' home town were amazed at thesegracious words, maybe anticipating that they would receive aspecial share of the promised blessings since they were so closelyrelated to him.
But within this passage the people's response changes fromaffirmation to rejection. What makes the difference? Jesus makes itclear that the blessings of God are not for the in-crowd alone, butrather for those who have been labelled outsiders - the Syrianleper (2 Kings5:1-14) and the widow from Sidon (
The gospel (good news of Jesus) is for all, but especially for thepoor and the outsiders. Those who are rich and comfortable and partof the in-crowd find it so much harder to hear. As so often withJesus, good news is uncomfortable and challenging and not welcomedby those who hear it.
Note, however, that Jesus stays focused. The negative response ofthe crowd doesn't put him off his message - he simply walks throughthe crowd and goes on his way. The gospel will not be changed tomake it more comfortable for the hearers.
To Ponder
Who are the poor and outsiders in your community?How does your church respond to them?
Which parts of the gospel are uncomfortable foryou? Why?