Really?

Luke 4:22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
 
AGAIN, we repeat a verse from the previous reading. In that lesson, we focused on Jesus’ gracious words to his hometown people. Now let’s consider the question, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
   The question can be heard in two ways. First, we may interpret the people as saying something like this: “Isn’t this a great thing that Jesus grew up among us? We know his father and mother! Did you ever believe one of our own would speak such words?” The second way to hear this could be, “Really? Jesus grew up working with his dad in stone and wood construction. How could ‘this Scripture be fulfilled’ through this uneducated man whose parents are ordinary laborers?”
   This second attitude apparently was the attitude in the Nazareth synagogue that day. There is further evidence in Matthew 13:54-57a Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him.
   The anger against Jesus was beginning to build. Jesus’ gracious words offended them! They didn’t trust his wisdom. There was no understanding that he had any special knowledge to fulfill any Scripture! That’s a hard response to the Lord’s grace, isn’t it? But this two-edge response to Jesus wasn’t isolated here.
   The gospels often describe two things were true about those who heard Jesus’ teach and preach. First, they were amazed at what he taught them. Matthew 7:28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching. Second, they found reasons to doubt, negate and ignore the teachings. John 5:43 “I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.”  
   This attitude, of course, remains today. How many times have people – perhaps you – said to a pastor, “Good sermon. That’s just what I needed to hear.” Perhaps the person was understanding that his life needed to be more Christ-like. But pastors quickly tire of such language because most people walk out the door and step directly into the way they were before the preaching.
   Remember, it’s not a good sermon until you become as God teaches you to be. The Jews were eager to hear good, grace-filled teaching – especially teaching that may have condemned the Romans or the restrictive rules over their lives. But very few entered into Jesus’ teaching to become his disciples.
   Sin opened the door very wide to welcome disobedience into the human soul. It has remained, even as a welcome guest to form our minds toward our own desires and away from God.
   The truth is all of us need to change. Living into God’s Word really does change us. It’s time we believe him and become the people God teaches us to be.
 
Prayer: I pray, Lord, I will truly live Psalms 119:2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.  In the Spirit’s power I pray, amen.