Abide Together: Reflections on Luke 4

In Luke 4, Luke records the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus’ teaching in Nazareth and being run our of town, teaching and healing in Capernaum, and Jesus’ commitment to preach the kingdom of God in many cities.  I am struck by the fact that the same people who were “speaking well of Him” (v. 21), were the very ones who “were filled with rage” (v. 28) and wanted to “throw Him down the cliff” (v. 30).  They loved His authoritative teaching when it did not hit them personally, but as soon as His teaching hit close to home, they turned on Him.  This seems to be the response of many people, but it cannot keep Jesus followers from speaking the whole truth.  Instead, followers of Jesus must be like Paul who said to the Ephesians elders in Acts 20:27, “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.” Lord, by Your grace, help me declare Your whole purpose from You Word regardless of how it is received.

– Bryan McKenzie