Luke 4:16-30
We now see the ministry of the Lord beginning in Nazareth, where He was brought up. Our witnessing begins at home, in our own circle of friends. Do we think we would have more courage to go and preach the Gospel to the heathen, rather than taking a firm stand before those who know us best?
In the synagogue, the divine Teacher reads the passage from Isaiah which commends Him as the Messenger of grace. He proclaims the opening of the prison to the captives (see Isaiah 61:1; Isaiah 42:7). If somebody was to announce that prisoners were to be pardoned and to be set free, could we imagine that some would prefer to stay in prison; or that some would dare count on their own innocence rather than be set free legally; or that some would say the exact opposite: "Oh no! this is not for me; I’m too guilty"; or finally that others would refuse to believe this message of grace? What foolish attitudes, very unlikely too . . . but nevertheless very common amongst those who reject salvation. However, many captives of Satan gladly accept the offer of deliverance. Which of these prisoners are you like? Sad to say, this episode ends by showing how the people of Nazareth received the "good news", a picture in miniature of the attitude of the nation.