JP12: JESUS SNUBBED IN HIS HOMETOWN: WHAT HE TEACHES US ABOUT OVERCOMING REJECTION

Growing up in a small, rural farming community made flying under the town’s radar difficult.  I remember blasting a popular 80’s rock song with the car windows down as I rolled up to the local service station one hot summer afternoon.  As I exited the car, a mentor who worked there walked up and asked if I understood the song’s lyrics.  I naively fumbled an answer, saying something like, “I just like the music, not the lyrics.”  

But, I knew that he was right, and I was a little embarrassed.  His question exposed how I had deceived myself and then rationalized broadcasting a degrading song.  The people in my hometown knew me best because they saw me the most.  And, what they saw were a lot of inconsistencies.  

Most of the time, what I professed on Sunday was not the same as how I lived Monday through Saturday.

The same was not true of Jesus during his upbringing in Nazareth.  

The apostle Luke writes,

“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.  And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.  And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.  And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:14-19)

In the eyes of his familiar Nazarene neighbors, Jesus’ life and message matched.  He frequently taught in the synagogues around Galilee, and most people were honoring Jesus as he engaged with them.  The whole region was buzzing with excitement, and people were both challenged and changed by Jesus’ presence among them.   Even the hometown crowd was happy with Jesus as long as he was teaching and encouraging.  But, their feelings changed dramatically the day he delivered some uncomfortable news to his hometown place of worship.

What began as a normal Sabbath in Nazareth quickly turned into a scene of confusion and rage as Jesus delivered a shocking truth to the hometown crowd after reading from the prophet Isaiah.  

“And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.  And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘“Physician, heal yourself.” What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’” And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.”

“But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land,  and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.  And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath.  And they rose up and 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.  But passing through their midst, he went away.” (Luke 4:20-30)

After reading from the scroll, Jesus proclaims himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.  He came to liberate the poor, blind and oppressed, but the people deceived themselves. They could not see Jesus as Lord, only Joseph’s carpenter son.  They were blinded by familiarity.

Jesus illuminates their unbelief by contrasting the faith of Zarephath and Naaman, both gentile outsiders, with theirs.  Hearing that Zarephath and Naaman had more faith than the people of Nazareth was too much for them to take!  They quickly ran Jesus out of town and were about to throw him off a cliff when the Lord just went on his way.

Jesus’ example provides us with four spiritual truths for moving past rejection.  

Expect Rejection

If Jesus’ hometown folk rejected the perfect lamb of God, then how much more should we expect to be marginalized? Most people will find our love and hospitality as a blessing.  However, this may not be the case with everyone, at least not at first.  

Paul explained to the Corinthian church: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;  the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (NIV) 1 Corinthians 1:18-19  Expect that not everyone will receive our love and the simple truth that Jesus is the Messiah.  

Seek to love and serve people with respect and humility.  

Jesus came to the synagogue that day without an official title.  He fit into the flow of their gathering and received the scroll handed to him.  He sat down, according to their custom, to explain the reading.  Jesus found a way to carry out his teaching in love and humility without compromising the truth.  And, when they threw him out, Jesus moved on with his character intact.

Share the unchanging truth of God with love and courage.  

Sharing the truth with family and friends can be challenging when we know they’ve been hurt or we’ve compromised our character in some way.  But, we must try as we follow Jesus.  Allow your love and compassion for them to compel you, and the Lord will bless your obedience no matter how people respond.

Choose to keep moving, just like Jesus did.

No matter what circumstances led to your rejection, keep moving in the direction of Jesus’ plan for your life. Don’t rush after acceptance somewhere else.  Find your acceptance and reward in the eternal Kingdom of God.  

The writer of Hebrews finds inspiration in the life of Moses, “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.  He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” (Hebrews 11:24-26)

We leave rejection behind when we consider the reproach of Christ more significant than anything else, looking only to the reward of heaven as our prize.  Let us find our acceptance in Christ alone by drawing near to him and through consistent service in our neighborhoods and workplaces with the respect, love, and humility of Jesus.

‍

Four Spiritual Truths For Overcoming Rejection

• Expect Rejection.
• Seek to love and serve with respect and humility.
• Share the transforming truths of God with love and courage.
• Choose to keep moving, just like Jesus did.