Friday, November 1, 2013

Responding to Jesus

And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, "Is this not Joseph's son?" ...And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; (Luke 4:22, 28 NASB)

When Jesus read Scripture, people in the synagogue that day were pleased. He did a fine job, and they liked it that their hometown boy was becoming a famous preacher. They knew His people and He was one of them. Well, He was one of them as long as His words were lovely to hear. 

When Jesus spoke hard truth and required self-examination of them, the people in the synagogue went from zero anger to full-out rage faster than a speeding Lamborghini. They were "filled with rage", and completely overcome by it. Why? Jesus had challenged them at the point of their prejudice and they did not like it one bit. 

What about us? How do we respond to Jesus? What is our response to His words? His challenges to our prejudices? Do we respond with a heart willing to change or one filled with anger?  Pray today that we, as well as our loved ones, will respond to the words of Christ with open hearts and a willingness to become more like Him. 

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