May 03, 2020

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 61:1-11

Background: Jesus has been teaching and healing throughout the area of Galilee. He has taught within the synagogues, on the shore of the sea, and along the road as He has gone. His message has gained momentum and been met with some hostility, even called demonic. His message has set some of the religious leaders on edge, as He has made more than one claim to His deity. Here we come to His return to His hometown, and like all the settings before, He has entered into the synagogue, the place where people gather to study the Word of God and hear from the teachers. What better place to reveal the Truth of God? The ones gathered in these places were attempting to draw near to God, so it would stand to reason that they would desire to be as close as humanly possible to the Messiah sent from God. In fact, the God-man Himself. As we will see today, that is not the case. It makes me wonder, would we receive or reject the Messiah if He were to stand here amongst us today revealing himself?

Read/Pray: Matthew 13:53-58 & Luke 4:16-30

Study:

1.) The object of our affection. The desire of a Jubilee.

a. Jesus came to the synagogue to reveal who He is.

i. He used the Scripture to reveal the truth.

ii. Quoting from Isaiah 61, He, in-fact, is the Anointed One proclaiming good news and setting the captives free. He alone, in the witness of many, had healed the sick and given sight to the blind. (Matthew 9)

b. He proclaimed the good news; The year of the Lord's favor.

i. Leviticus 25: Every 50th year was a year of liberation. Debts were forgiven, land ownership was restored, and it was a great time of celebration.

1. How we all love a good time; a life full of prosperity.

2. An easy road.

2.) The jealousy of our pride. We consider ourselves higher than we ought; little "g" gods.

a. Jesus claimed that the Scripture is fulfilled in Him.

i. They mistook Him for being like them.

1. Is not this Joseph's son? Is Mary not His mother? He has brothers and sisters just like us.

2. How then does He claim to fulfill prophecy?

ii. Jesus looks right into their hearts; They wanted a god who was at their service.

1. Heal here as we have heard that you have healed in Capernaum.

a. They desired a healing instead of the Healer. Just as in Matthew 12:38--42, they requested another sign.

i. God is not to be tempted.

ii. God is not a genie in a bottle that grants our wishes.

iii. God is God alone, and there are no other gods before Him. Not even the little gods we all desire to be.

3.) God is God of all! Not just these religious people gathered in the synagogue.

a. Jesus himself submits to the will of the Father.

i. If we are not careful we miss it here.

1. "Physician, heal yourself."

a. The temptation of satan.

i. Matthew 4:5-7

b. The taunt of the Roman soliders.

c. The reviling of the two on the crosses.

i. Matthew 27:40

d. The chief priests and scribes.

i. Matthew 27:42

b. Elijah; a servant of God was sent to Zaraphath, a region of baal worship, to deliver a widow and her son during a time of famine. (1 Kings 17)

c. Elisha was used of God to cleanse a heathen commander of Syria, and enemy of God, so that God may be revealed as the God of all.

We see through the Gospel writers and the accounts that Jesus' Himself quotes that prophets are without honor within their hometowns. Jesus came to his own, but his own did not receive Him. (John 1:11). Elijah flees from Jezebel (1 Kings 19). Elisha is mocked by youths (2 Kings 2:23). Confrontational truth is never easily received, (especially from someone we know) but it is necessary.

Conclusion:

Are you searching for the healer or the healing? Has the Spirit of God revealed a truth to you that you need to deal with today? Have you rejected the truth because of the closeness of the source? Do you need to submit to God as the God of all of your life, instead of just the parts you want? I have good news? It is the time of Jubilee! It is the time of liberation from sin and slavery, to the freedom found in Christ Jesus.