Daily Walk Through the New Testament
June 26
Read Luke 4:14-30

The warm welcome Jesus received in His hometown was short-lived. At first, His audience in the synagogue was open & respectful to His preaching — so much so that they “marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (vs. 22). They could hardly believe their ears! They were astounded that a local young man, the son of a carpenter could speak such wonderful & prophetic words.
But while Jesus’ listeners loved His mention of the poor, the broken-hearted, the captives, and the oppressed, they were incensed when He dared to suggest that God was also interested in showing favor to the Gentiles. Jesus reminded them of several times when God had chosen to bless or heal a Gentile in the past. Jesus was simply telling them that if Nazareth, and all of Israel, did not accept Him as Messiah, He would extend His grace to the Gentiles. When He said that, the people were angered and they kicked Him out of the city and even came close to killing Him.
Jesus’ message was not just unpopular, but violently rejected. Jesus told His disciples they could expect to be hated by the world just like He was (John 15:18). Following Jesus often involves going against the grain of the crowd — maybe our friends or family — and things can get ugly fast. When it is painful, remember what an honor it is to belong to God in Christ. Paul described believers as “children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). Remember this description of God’s will for you as His child and inhabit it. Stay true to Jesus and keep on the path of life.