Nazareth: Part 4

Luke 4: 25-27

“25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”

The Jews in Jesus day had a dim view of the gentiles.  They believed that the gentiles were unclean and any association with them made Jews unclean.  Gentiles were regarded as unclean because of their lifestyle and eating habits.  Their lifestyle and eating habits also caused them to be sinners, and since they were sinners they had no hope of knowing the one, true God.

Yet, here was Jesus in the synagogue  preaching that, at different times in the history of Israel, God had favored the “unclean” gentiles over the Jews. 

The Jews of Nazareth thought they had God figured out.  Yet, Jesus used their own scriptures to show them that they did not know God.  

Jesus’ message was that God was willing to speak with and guide the Gentiles just as he did the Jews….

and that God’s love is for all people.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)