This is probably one of the most impactful “mic drops” ever recorded in history. Jesus goes from teaching on Isaiah 61 (which is about Him) in His hometown synagogue, only to be mocked by them for being a “nobody,” onto saying a few extra words that caused these same people to now want to throw Him off a cliff. Something really must have not gone so smoothly in this short exchange of words.

And that is exactly what happened: Jesus spoke the truth He was called to. He brought up some sore subjects of widespread unfaithfulness throughout Israel’s history. He used this to warn these Israelis to not walk in that same unfaithfulness as their ancestors. But man, did that truth hurt.

In the days Jesus was speaking of, Israel received Her judgement from God. All the more, these people would, too, receive their judgement from God. And of course, this is not what they wanted to hear, and it caused them to not just become angry, but to be filled with wrath, and to reject Him even more. That is, to the point that they cornered Him and were going to throw Him off the cliff. That kind of wrath.

But I love the subtlety it reads that He just miraculously goes along His way right by them, with no repercussions. What a testimony! His mission had just begun, but was not deemed complete there--for His eyes were set on Jerusalem!

Luke 4.25-30

25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What were the stories of each of the individuals mentioned in this Passage? And why are each important? [See I Kings 17 + 18; II Kings 5.1-14]

+ What was the truth Jesus was speaking?

+ Even though Jesus spoke all these things in truth, how did the listeners receive the message? [Re-read Luke 4.16-30]

+ What does this tell us about the truth Jesus teaches?

+ Did Jesus seek to please His audiences? Did He speak to “tickle” their ears? What kind of mindset did Jesus have when preaching?

+ This was the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Why do you think He continued to share His message even after these initial reactions documented here in Luke 4?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Is there any history of unfaithfulness in my own life I am running towards that Jesus is trying to speak truth over and call me back to His message of repentance? Am I submitting or rejecting to that conviction of the Holy Spirit?

+ In seeing how these people received Jesus’ message of kingdom truth, do I feel blessed that He has allowed my eyes to be open to the Gospel?

+ How does the verse from Isaiah 61 settle in my heart? Does it draw me closer to Jesus and grow reverence for the miracle it is that He saved me?

+ Jesus measures the success of His message by how the heart of the individual is affected after hearing it. Do I see Jesus’ message transform me from the inside-out?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ With the deep rooted love of Christ, am I willing to share this same truth despite how my listener(s) might respond?