Is Jesus Passing by You?

N.T.#500 "Is Jesus Passing by You?"

March 5, 2025 

Luke 4-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

Jesus proved His point made in verse 24 that a prophet is not accepted in his own country. (He was in the  Nazareth synagogue at the time.) The religious ones were trying to get Jesus to prove Himself to be the Messiah. He had done miracles elsewhere, so He could use His supernatural power for them to see. (verses 23-24)

Jesus wasn't Johnnie on the spot, for he wasn't there to perform miraculous signs. In Galilee Jesus had compassion on the sick and spiritually burdened. He was authentic, giving a tangible reason to believe His words.  Each miracle was Jesus' sovereign choice. 

Be sides, the people of Nazareth were skeptic and would not believe Jesus' claims. He turned their objections around to Israel's history of ignoring and even abusing messengers from God. 

The first was the time whenever Israel turned to worship Baal, the false god of storms. Elijah stood alone against the king Ahab, his wife Jezebel, and the 420 prophets of Baal. In the 3-year drought, the false god could not supply their need of food and water. God prevailed in the competition between Himself and the false god, showing His sovereign power over nature.

The second example was Elisha directing the Gentile military commander with leprosy, Naaman, to wash 7 times in the Jordan River for healing. And it happened just as the prophet had said. The Gentile's faith qualified him for divine favor that the Jews could not receive. Either we receive and obey Jesus by faith or we reject and defile Him. 

Is Jesus your Lord and Savior? Have you followed Him by faith and obedience? Jesus is the only way to heaven.

The people of Nazareth were insulted by those two illustrations since Jesus suggested the Gentiles, whom the Jews despised, were worthy of His teachings and healing ministry. They were filled with wrath. so much so as to lead Jesus to the top of a hill in order to throw Him off and kill Jesus. 

LET IT GROW

It wasn't Jesus' time to die, and certainly not that way. 

Verse 30 says, But He passing through the midst of them went His way. 

It was a miraculous escape for the Messiah. John recorded at least 3 other times Jesus escaped from the Jews intending to kill Him. (John 7:30; 8:59; 10:39)

Should we be surprised when those in our hometown or family do not accept our Christian witness? No, for it happened to Jesus. Don't give up witnessing. Although we may be opposed, keep sharing the truth and pleasing God. don't get sidetracked. People need the Lord, His forgiveness of sins, love and acceptance. 

Let God work in our life, pray to be a positive witness for Him, and be patient. Don't let Jesus pass us by. Today is the day of salvation. It is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.

LET IT GO

Let others see Jesus in you.