Year C January 31

4th Sunday after the Epiphany

Luke 4:21-30.

"I tell you the truth," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed--only Naaman the Syrian." All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. (4:24-28)

Context:
Praise came from the lips of the crowd gathered at the synagogue. Jesus' words has been welcomed as the carpenter's son returned to his home village and opened the scriptures on the Sabbath. He was welcomed back, but as they moved past their initial impressions of his speech they considered what he said, and it did not sit comfortably with them - in fact they were greatly offended.
"Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing" is a veiled Messianic claim. "No prophet is accepted in his home town" and "There were many lepers in Elijah day, but only Naaman (the Syrian) was cured" are pointing to the failure of Nazareth and Israel to recognise Jesus as prophet - and possibly as Messiah. At the beginning of his ministry in Israel Jesus is foreshadowing the 'failure' of that ministry, and his rejection.

Comment:
Jesus' return to Nazareth has parallels in Mark (6:1-6) and Matthew (13:53-58). Luke's account includes more detail, including the "mission statement" of 4:18-19 and recognition of the depth of the opposition Jesus' faced. This additional information points to another source for Luke, and the placement of the incident reflects programmatic or thematic considerations. For Luke this incident is of major significance. It is not just the rejection of Jesus in his home town, but points to the rejection of Jesus by his own people and extension of his ministry to Gentiles. Jesus has been sent or 'anointed' to bring good news, not only to the Jews, but also to those beyond its borders.
Nolland suggests that these verses indicate that "unbelief has created a situation where possibilities are not realized and benefits do not flow" (Nolland, WBC, 201) rather than emphasising Jesus rejection.

In the parallel accounts the unbelief of the people somehow limits Jesus a few deeds of power in Nazareth. If faith is a key element in miracles this is not surprising. It should not be understood that God is limited by our unbelief, for God is able to act without our consent. Yet there is an element of welcome and respect that is lacking in the people, and Jesus respects their choice. The Nazarenes are the poorer as a result.

While the unresponsiveness of the people is noted in Matthew and Mark, the account in Luke includes a much more vigorous and determined opposition. What Jesus said was seen as being 'highly provocative" and the picture presented in not Jesus being launched to his death off a high cliff but is indicative of an angry mob preparing to stone Jesus. It follows the pattern of casting the victim down from an elevated position, from which his opponents could throw or drop the stones. Just how Jesus is delivered her is not stated. Again Nolland notes that it is reflective of John's view that "his hour has not yet come".(201)

The reaction seems to be "over the top" to modern readers. It is difficult for us to comprehend. Those who have been brought up in a Christian tradition, or a democratic country value freedom of speech, and rarely become violent when alternate view or divergent opinions are expressed. In other parts of the world such a reaction is not unknown. When deeply help beliefs and views are challenged it is considered disrespectful to the elders and leaders, and is likely to result in the offender being ostracized, excluded or even persecuted.

Those who stand in the line of Christ must be prepared for their message, however graciously expressed, to be rejected and for opposition to result. Changing the world is not easy. When peoples world views are challenged and their practices are questioned we must not be surprised by their reactions. If they agree with what we say there will be acceptance or even praise, but when the message challenges or offends expect a reaction.

While we should not go out of our way to provoke a reaction, perhaps we have become accepting of the status quo and desirous of peoples praise to the detriment of the gospel.


Other Readings:

Jer 1:4-10;
Ps 71:1-6;
1 Cor 13:1-13.