Daily Word - Rejected By His Own - Luke 4:23-30

Scripture:
Luke 4:23-30 (English Standard Version)
23And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb,(A) 'Physician, heal yourself.' What we have heard you did(B) at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well." 24And he said, "Truly, I say to you,(C) no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 25But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when(D) the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26and Elijah was sent to none of them(E) but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27And(F) there were many lepers[a] in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed,(G) but only Naaman the Syrian." 28When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29And they rose up and(H) drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30But(I) passing through their midst, he went away.
Footnotes:
Luke 4:27 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
Cross references:
Luke 4:23 : Luke 23:39; Matt 27:42
Luke 4:23 : Matt 11:23; Mark 2:1-12; John 4:46-53
Luke 4:24 : Matt 13:57
Luke 4:25 : 1 Kgs 17:1; 18:1; James 5:17; Rev 11:6
Luke 4:26 : 1 Kgs 17:9
Luke 4:27 : 2 Kgs 7:3
Luke 4:27 : 2 Kgs 5:1-14
Luke 4:29 : Num 15:35; Acts 7:58
Luke 4:30 : John 8:59; 10:39

Reflection:
How would you react if Jesus spoke this message from the pulpit on Sunday? It was customary for Jesus to go weekly to the synagogue to worship and on occasion to read the scriptures and comment on them to the people. His hometown folks listened with rapt attention on this occasion because they had heard about the miracles he had performed in other towns. What sign would he do in his hometown? Jesus startled them with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honor among his own people. He then angered them when he complimented the gentiles who seemed to have shown more faith in God than the "chosen ones" of Israel. They regarded gentiles as "fuel for the fires of hell". Jesus' praise for "outsiders" caused them offence because they were blind-sighted to God's mercy and plan of redemption for all nations. The word "gospel" literally means "good news". Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to those oppressed by sin and evil (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus came to set people free from the worst tyranny possible -- the tyranny of slavery to sin and the fear of death, and the destruction of both body and soul. God's power alone can save us from emptiness and poverty of spirit, from confusion and error, and from the fear of death and hopelessness. The gospel of salvation is "good news" for us today. Do you know the joy and freedom of the gospel?

Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Your Spirit brings us grace, truth, life, and freedom. Fill me with the joy of the gospel and inflame my heart with love and zeal for you and for your will