Drew Zeiler continues walking us through Jesus’ journey through Galilee, this time highlighting Jesus’ experience in his hometown.  Drew examines Jesus’ experience as a “guest Rabbi” in his own church temple and the consequent rejection of Jesus by those he grew up with.  Through this, Jesus shows us his mission, the human hearts obstacle to accepting it, and the reward for those who see who he is and fully receive him.

Drew’s Main Points:

1) Jesus declares the mission of the Messiah to his people.

2) The people of Jesus’ hometown reject him as their Messiah.

3) Salvation is for those who receive Christ

Key Takeaways:

• Jesus tells his hometown the truth about his Messianic nature (Luke 4:18)
  • Good News: Our relationship with God has changed
  • Bad News: The proud will be separated from this changed relationship

• A proud heart does not admit its need for a good gift.

• Jesus came to:
  • Proclaim liberty to the captives
  • To bound up the broken hearted and give sight to the blind
  • to set liberty to those who are oppressed
  • to proclaim the year of the Lord’s Favor (Jubilee)

• Nazareth’s rejection of Jesus was tragic.

• The people imagined a military conqueror who would address their temporal oppression
  • Jesus was rejected because his reality did not fit their desire
  • They want a Messiah who changes their circumstances, not their hearts
  • Their hearts are hardened with unbelief
  • They suppress the truth in unrighteousness

• We need to repent of coming to God with our expectations.

• Believing in Christ means welcoming him into our lives. It is not simply an intellectual knowledge, but a transformational one.

• A changed heart desires the presence of the Lord.

• At the Day of the Lord, God will be your savior, or He will be your judge.

Discussion Questions/Application:

Personal Application:

• Do you understand the mission of the Messiah?  Do you believe it?
• Are you coming to Jesus to change yourself or to change your circumstance?
• What does true reception of Christ look like in your life?  Is there a part of your heart still hardened with unbelief?

Discuss With Community Group:

• How do we as God’s people collectively respond to the mission of the Messiah?
• How does our Community Group learn from Nazareth?  What are the ways in which we have hardened our heart with unbelief/fail to see the miraculous nature of Jesus?
• What does it mean to long to see Jesus?  How would it change our daily interaction with Christ?

Passages Referenced

Luke 4:14-30, John 1:10-11, Romans 1:17, Romans 1:21, John 1:11-12, 2 Timothy 4:8

Worship Set List

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, Joy to the World (Joyful, Joyful), Is He Worthy, His Mercy is More, Breathe