Thessalonians: 4:13-18 / Lk 4:16-30
The Good News that Jesus brought to the people of his hometown, Nazareth, was the best news they’d ever heard or even hoped for. But they didn’t listen, they didn’t take it seriously, because they didn’t take Jesus seriously. And why? "Because we know your father, Joseph, and he’s nobody."
That’s pretty lightweight reasoning, but it had heavy consequences for those villagers. It cut them off from everything Jesus had to offer. It threw away their chance for a whole new life. They were so sure they knew who Jesus was, and they were so wrong.
And that raises a fair question about us: Do WE really know who Jesus is and what he’s about, or do we just THINK we do because we’ve been showing up at his church for quite a few years? It reminds me of G. K. Chesterton’s words, "Christianity hasn’t failed; it just hasn’t been tried!"
Why not try a few questions on yourself: Have I spent enough serious time with the Lord to really know his mind, to see the world through his eyes, to see my life through his eyes? Have I trusted him enough to rearrange my life on the basis of what he’s helped me see? Am I a different person than I would have been BECAUSE my heart is bonded to the Lord the way that two pieces of wax bond together?
A "no" answer to any of those questions will tell us that we’re like Jesus’ neighbors in Nazareth: We think we know him, but we don’t — no matter how often we happen to show up in church!
Knowing the Lord takes an open heart and lots of listening time. Why not start listening right now. Jesus has Good News that will surprise you…if you hear it on the inside!