Real for You?

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.
 
THE Nazarenes asked, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
    The question can be spoken and heard in two ways. First, “How good to know Jesus grew up among us? We know his father and mother!” The second way to understand this could be, “Is this really true? Jesus grew up working with his father in stone and wood construction. How could this Scripture be fulfilled through this uneducated man?”
    This second attitude apparently dominated the Nazareth mindset. We learn this from 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. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
    They took offense at Jesus’ gracious words of promise. They didn’t trust he had any special knowledge to fulfill any Scripture!
    But the “amazed” and “Who do you think you are?” responses are the conflicting reactions to Jesus throughout his ministry. The gospels often describe two things were true about those who heard Jesus’ teachings: One, many people were amazed at what he taught them. And two, the authorities wanted to kill him: Mark 11:18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
    This response to God’s Word is witnessed in Acts as the church began. This response remains unchanged in our churches today. How many times has a church member said, “Good sermon. That’s just what I needed to hear.” They seemed  amazed – happy – to know God’s Word was so personal for them. Certainly those who responded that way would adjust their faith walk to God’s teachings, wouldn’t they?
    But pastors and teachers quickly tire of such talk because most people walk out the door and step directly back into the way they were before the sermon. They were “killing” God’s Word, keeping it from planting into their hearts for change.
    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. They wanted freedom from the Romans, Pharisees and Sadducees who ruled over them. But very, very few entered into Jesus’ teaching to become his disciples.
   
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.