PM 05-17
Jesus "Closed
the Book"
Promise became present in Nazareth's hearing.
Luke 4:16–30
Ed Rangel
Waupaca, WI
"He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath."
Luke 4:16
Luke 4 cannot be understood unless we understand what happened when Jesus closed the book.
I
Jesus opened the Scripture in the place that thought it already knew Him.
Familiarity became spiritually dangerous.
They could recognize the boy from Nazareth, but they were not ready to receive the Christ of God.
The old pattern of rejected messengers.
- Joseph was rejected by his brothers.
- Moses was rejected by his own people.
- David was overlooked in his father's house.
Jesus entered the synagogue according to His custom.
Synagogue attendance was woven into His life.
On the Sabbath, in the synagogue, with Scripture open, the Lord of true rest stood among His own people.
He found the place where Isaiah spoke of the Spirit-anointed Servant.
Luke 4:17–19; Isaiah 61:1–2
The mission of the Anointed Servant.
- Preach the gospel to the poor.
- Proclaim release to the captives.
- Give sight to the blind.
- Set the oppressed free.
Jubilee gives the background.
Jubilee could release a man from debt, but not from guilt. Christ brings the greater release.
"Repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations."
Luke 24:47
The question hanging over the room: Who does Jesus think He is?
He is the Christ, the Son of God, the One in whom the Scriptures are fulfilled.
Matthew 16:16; Luke 24:27
II
Jesus closed the book because the promise had reached its fulfillment.
Jesus closed the scroll, handed it back, and sat down.
Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on Him.
The action marked the boundary between prophetic promise and present fulfillment.
The book was closed because the Word had become flesh.
Jesus stopped before reading the day of vengeance.
The favorable year and the day of vengeance are both real, but not collapsed into the same moment.
"God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."
John 3:17
Jesus sat down as the authoritative teacher.
The Teacher is greater than Moses, greater than Ezra, greater than every scribe.
"Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Luke 4:21
"Today" means now, not someday.
Isaiah was no longer only promising. Christ was now present.
III
Nazareth rejected the fulfilled Word when it exposed their pride.
Their first response sounded positive, but it was shallow.
Admiration is not allegiance.
"Is this not Joseph's son?"
They could not see the Prophet because they could not stop seeing the boy from Nazareth.
No prophet is welcome in his hometown.
Luke 4:24
Jesus used Elijah and Elisha to expose their presumption.
- Elijah was sent to a Gentile widow.
- Elisha cleansed Naaman the Syrian.
God's grace is not bound by national boundary, family name, or hometown claim.
Their admiration turned into rage.
This was violent unbelief dressed in synagogue clothing.
Jesus passed through their midst and went His way.
His hour had not yet come.
Nazareth becomes a shadow of Calvary.
At Nazareth, Jesus passed through. At Calvary, He would stay, die, and accomplish what no escape ever could.
"The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone."
Acts 4:11; Psalm 118:22
Custom without submission is deadly.
Religious routine without obedience can become hardened rebellion.
Wonder is not worship.
Jesus will not be received on human terms.
God's mercy is wider than human pride.
The gospel response.
- Hear the gospel.
- Believe that Jesus is the Christ.
- Repent of sin.
The gospel response.
- Confess Christ before men.
- Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.
- Walk faithfully with the Lord.
Jesus closed the book in Nazareth.
But the question remains open before every hearer: will you receive Him, or will you drive Him away?
What will you do
with Jesus?