Jul 13

Luke 4:16-30
Memorise John 4:44
“…ye shall be witnesses… in Jerusalem… in all Judaea… in Samaria”

At the early part of the ministry of Christ, Jesus spoke to the people of Nazareth. Nazareth was where Jesus was brought up. The people of Nazareth knew Him and His family. They were His kinsmen. On a Sabbath day, Jesus went into the synagogue and read from the book of Isaiah and revealed unto the people there that He was the promised Messiah that was foretold in Scripture. One has to take a moment to understand the significance of this act. God came into their midst and they could not recognise God. Hence, God, in His mercy and grace decides to reveal the truth about His deity to them. The people in the synagogue were familiar with the promised Messiah of scripture. They have been waiting for His coming for thousands of years and Christ was gracious enough to reveal Himself unto them. The Messiah is here, before their very eyes! But their response was sadly not one of joy and praise. Instead, they were angry and ready to drive Jesus out and cast Him over a hill to kill Him. This is recorded for us in Luke 4. It was with this context that Christ uttered the words in our passage for today. Jesus knew that this was going to be their response before He even stepped foot into the synagogue. Being God, He had all knowledge of all events even those that have not yet happened. But one has to wonder why did Christ still persist to speak to the people of Nazareth knowing well that He will face rejection? Jesus’ own kinsmen were among the first to be offered salvation. Jesus did not neglect them knowing that they would reject Him. The people of Nazareth were blessed to have Christ in their midst. As believers, we are in a similar position. Our family members, particularly those not saved, are blessed by our presence in their midst because we hold the truth to eternal life. We hold the greatest good news of all ages that Christ can save them from their sins unto the utter most. We have the gospel. Like Christ, we must share it with our family, even if we know that we would likely be rejected by them. What a great tragedy if while we live so close to them and yet the gospel was never made known to them by us. The great news, this great treasure and a pearl of great price, is really no further than in the very same house that they live in. While you think of your friends who need salvation, never forget your very own family!

Thought: Do I know how much time we have with our family?
Prayer: Father, give me the courage and the urgency to share the gospel with my family.