Rejected by His Own
Pastor Todd Blansit
New Life Church
March 16, 2025

Jesus Declares His Mission (Luke 4:20-22)
Jesus had just read from Isaiah 61, proclaiming that He was the fulfillment of the prophecy. He boldly declared that He had come to bring good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free. Initially, the people of Nazareth were amazed.
At first, the people marveled. They had heard about His miracles in other towns. Maybe they were excited to see what He could do for them. After all, He was one of them! Surely, He would bless His own people first, right?

But then, doubt started creeping in. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. In other words, “Wait a minute. We know this guy! He grew up here. He played with our kids. He built our furniture. How can He be the fulfillment of prophecy?”

Their amazement quickly turned into skepticism. And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, confronted them head-on.

They had heard about His miracles in Capernaum and expected Him to perform wonders in their town. Their reaction was one of curiosity rather than faith. Instead of recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, they saw Him as “Joseph’s son.” This highlights a problem that still exists today—many people admire Jesus’ teachings but fail to embrace Him as Lord.

The Danger of Familiarity (Luke 4:23-27)
Jesus knew their thoughts. He anticipated their demands for miracles and confronted their unbelief head-on. He referenced two Old Testament stories Elijah and the widow in Zarephath (1 Kings 17) and Elisha and Naaman the Syrian (2 Kings 5). In both cases, God’s blessings went to Gentiles, not Israelites.
This was deeply offensive to the people of Nazareth. They had a sense of entitlement. They believed that as God’s chosen people, they deserved God’s blessings; Jesus was telling them that faith, not heritage, determines who receives God’s favor. The examples Jesus gave showed that God works beyond human expectations and that His grace is for all people, not just a select few.

The Offense of the Gospel
Jesus’ words enraged the crowd. They had gone from admiration to violent anger in a matter of moments. They dragged Him to the edge of a cliff, intending to kill Him. Why? Because He challenged their assumptions. He exposed their spiritual pride and unwillingness to accept God’s plan.
The gospel is offensive to those who resist God’s truth. It tells us that we cannot save ourselves, that we need a Savior, and that God’s mercy extends even to those we might despise. The people of Nazareth could not accept a Messiah who didn’t fit their expectations. They wanted signs and wonders, but they did not want repentance and faith.
Yet, despite their rejection, Jesus was not defeated.

This event shows Jesus' sovereignty. He leaves when He chooses, not when others try to kill Him.
Divine Authority: Jesus, the Son of God, had complete control over the situation. The crowd’s rage could not overpower Him.
Faith Requires More Than Familiarity:
Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Him personally. The people of Nazareth knew His background, but they didn’t truly know Him as the Son of God. We must move beyond surface-level knowledge to genuine faith.

God’s Grace is for Everyone
Jesus’ message reminded the people that God’s love extends beyond Israel to all nations. This challenges us to examine our own hearts—Do we limit God’s grace to only those who fit our expectations?

Rejection is Part of Following Christ
If Jesus Himself was rejected, we should not be surprised when we face opposition for our faith. Being faithful to God will sometimes mean standing alone, but we can take heart knowing that Christ walks with us.

God’s Plan Will Prevail
The people of Nazareth tried to stop Jesus, but His mission continued. No opposition can hinder God’s plan. When we face rejection or setbacks, we must remember that God is in control.

Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth was a preview of the greater rejection He would face on the cross. Yet, His rejection led to our salvation. The question we must ask ourselves is this: Are we like the people of Nazareth, resisting Jesus because He doesn’t fit our expectations? Or will we receive Him in faith, no matter the cost?
Rejection is painful, but when we stand firm in Christ, we are never truly defeated. Jesus continued His mission despite opposition, and He calls us to do the same.