Luke 4:27

New International Version

And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.

For Meditation 

It was a Sabbath day in Nazareth, and Jesus read a passage from the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 61:1-2). The prophecy spoke about the Spirit’s anointing of the Messiah to proclaim salvation and all its benefits to the poor at the fullness of time. That was good news about God’s gracious visitation of His people. Then He made this stunning claim when He sat down, and they set their eyes on Him.

Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing (21 ESV).

They all spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that came out of His mouth. However, they were His town folk, so they knew His parents, a common carpenter’s son. How then could He claim the fulfillment of this Messianic prophecy in Him (Lk. 4:18-19)?

How so human! Familiarity breeds contempt, as the saying goes, and the Lord knew their thoughts. They could not accept His lofty claim because they all knew His background, but did they really? How uncomfortable people get when they hear about the promotion of the folks they knew so well and never could imagine them in that elevated way!

If there is any encouragement here, it is to never underestimate the humble beginnings of the ordinary folks you meet along life’s path. God has a way of raising the poor from the dust and lifting the needy from the ash heap. He delights in making them sit with princes and to inherit seats of honor in His time (1 Sam. 2:8). Hannah’s song rings true for many in scripture and throughout history, for our example and edification.

Nobody can claim God’s favor but that which He lavishes on His beloved in Christ according to His pleasure and will (Eph. 1:5-8). There were widows in Israel during the three-and-a-half-year drought and famine, but God bypassed them all and blessed a poor widow in Zarephath of Sidon. Naaman received special grace for the healing of his leprosy when many of them remained in Israel (Lk. 4:24-27). God does not apportion Grace by ethnicity or any other qualification. No one deserves it, nor can any work for it, or buy it. It is the gift of God that no one can boast before Him (Eph. 2:8-9).  

Jesus’ response was still gracious, but the people received it differently. He just stated the facts and laid their hearts bare, and they hated it. Yet, He walked away from their attempt to throw Him over the cliff, on which sits Nazareth (Lk. 4:28-30).

How much like us today! What made them so angry, and what makes us angry, too, when we hear God’s word? Why do we hear His gracious word and marvel at its wisdom and blessings, but get angry and turn away when His word hits the wrong chord in us? Can we change anything by our rebellion? So, why not yield to what the Spirit says, so we can prosper and grow by it?  

Pray with Me

Lord, have mercy on us, poor souls that we are. How quickly we sing the hallelujah song when it suits us, but turn away from you when you touch our treasure. May your Spirit help us in our weaknesses and strengthen us to receive every word you speak to us, as bitter as it may be. Thank you, in Jesus’ matchless name. Amen!    

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