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Clint Fink

Luke 4:21-30 • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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Physician, heal thyself

In this passage, we see Jesus return to his home town of Nazareth. During this Sabbath there was not Rabbi to teach in the Synagogue and so someone is asked to teach. Jesus becomes this teacher. Jesus has been teaching around the area and is getting known for his ability to teach with great authority.

(NRSV)

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

(; )

14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country.

Now Jesus does exactly what he was called to do, he taught with authority, but the people asked is this not Joseph’s son? (NRSV)

22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” You see God call you forward to be an amazing prophet, and yet the people around you, speak of what you used to be. Notice what they are thinking. (NRSV)

23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’ ” You see Jesus knew what they were thinking, before they could make another statement.

Jesus then tells them, (NRSV)

24 And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. This was only one idea about prophets. You see prophets were often sought after and endangered because of their teachings. Jeremiah was called the weeping prophet because what the Lord had given him to teach was not accepted by the people he was called to teach. Elijah ran for his life as the people he was called to wanted his life. He lived in solitude until the Lord sent for him again.

Many prophets have been treated poorly. It was not easy being called to teach as God calls us to teach. Amos taught against the establishment and the establishment hated him for it.

Look at what Jesus tells the people in their request for him to heal as he had done in Capernaum. (NRSV)

24 And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. Jesus then tells them about Elijah and Elisha, about what they were restricted to do. Elijah was consider by the Jew to be the greatest prophet. They still wait for his return during the Passover.

Ask yourself, why did this enrage the people in the temple? Perhaps because they knew that Jesus spoke the truth. Elijah is admired as the greatest prophet ever but during his time-ran from the threat that evil Queen Jezabel gave him-basically get out in 24 hours or else.

What I believe Elijah was so upset about was that even though God had done miracles through him, the people he was called to basically stayed the same. These are the very people that call him their greatest prophet. You see this is why the people were enraged-Elijah was a great prophet-and this son of Joseph was claiming to be in the likeness of Elijah.