Luke 4

Highlights In Today's Reading:

Note, the devil attacks when and where we're weakest. Read how Jesus stopped him (4:1-13). Jesus says He is the Anointed (Messiah) of Isaiah 61:1-3, but the religious leaders reject Him (4:18-30). People amazed, Jesus speaks, demons flee (4:33-37). Miracles happen when Jesus is in the boat (5:1-11).

The fame of Jesus' miracles spread throughout all Galilee. He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and . . . He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day (4:16).

Jesus was invited to read Scripture. There was delivered unto Him the Book of the prophet Esaias. And . . . He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives (of sin), and recovering of sight to the blind (conflicting popular teachings), to set at liberty them that are bruised (imprisoned by satanic addictions) . . . to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And He closed the Book, and He gave it again to the minister, and sat down (4:17-20; Is. 61:1-3).

The Great Physician was now in their midst. The Jewish people were expecting a Messiah who would be a conquering king like David — one who would deliver them from oppressive Roman rule and would usher in a golden age of peace and prosperity. You can imagine how startled the congregation was when Jesus said that He, the (supposed) Son of a carpenter (Luke 3:23), was their long-awaited Messiah (4:21).

Exposing the unbelief of the Israelites, Jesus praised a Syrian (4:27) and a Sidonian (4:26), both Gentiles, for their faith in the God of Israel. This so infuriated the congregation that they interrupted the worship service, seized the Teacher, and attempted to put Him to death (4:29). But He passing through the midst of them went His way (4:30). As far as we know, Jesus never returned to Nazareth. The cynical unbelief displayed at Nazareth contrasted sharply with the simple faith of the widow at Zarephath and the obedience of Naaman the leper. Jesus simply revealed that God answers prayer for people who have faith in Him.

In His own country, and among His own kin, and in His own house . . . (Jesus) could . . . do no mighty work. . . . And He marvelled because of their unbelief (Mark: 6:4-6).

Thought for Today:

Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength (Is. 26:4).

Word Studies:

4:29 brow =edge of a cliff; 5:9 draught =hatch; 5:27 a publican = tax collector for Rome; 5:36 rent =tear.

Cross References:

For Luke 4:4: See Deut. 8:3. Luke 4:8: See Deut. 6:13-14. Luke 4:10-11: See Ps. 91:11-12. Luke 4:12: See Deut. 6:16. Luke 4:18-19: See Is. 61:1-2. Luke 5:14: See Lev. 14:1-32.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for English International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by A Family That Loves Jesus • Staff: Pam Pendergrast • Government Officials: Gov. Haley Barbour (MS), Rep. Patrick McHenry (NC), and Rep. John Shadegg (AZ) • Country: Honduras (6 million) in Central America • Major languages: Spanish and Indian dialects • Religious freedom • 86% Roman Catholic; 10% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: All men need to pray to the Lord, who hears prayers (Ps. 65:2).

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 15:19