Last time we heard stories from the remainder of Luke chapter 4. We heard how Jesus re-entered civilisation, after completing 40 days alone in the desert and being tempted by the devil. He went to the region of Galilee, in the northern part of Israel, and was travelling around the different towns, preaching in local synagogues, and we’re told that he was getting praised by all. Synagogues, by the way, were community buildings where Jews gathered for teaching and meeting.

Then Jesus comes to the town, Nazareth, where he was brought up. He goes into the the local synagogue and reads words from the prophet Isaiah.

Jesus tells the people listening that this prophecy is now fulfilled as they listen.

The people in the Nazareth synagogue at first also speak well of Jesus, and then they start to say, hang on, we know this guy, isn’t this Joseph’s son?

And then Jesus begins reading their thoughts. Things go from cosy to awkward to downright dangerous really quick.

The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved