With Jesus in the Synagogue

Text: Luke 4:16–30

This is the final sermon in the series With Jesus. Over the past several weeks, we have walked with Jesus through different places and events to see His actions and desires—examples that we can learn from and apply in our own lives today.

As we come to Luke 4, we find Jesus entering the synagogue—what we might call “church.” Here He shows us His mission, His authority, and also the rejection He faced.

1. The Place He Entered (v.16)

The Bible says, “as His custom was.” From the time He was a child, Jesus was faithful to the house of God. At eight days old, He was brought to the temple for His dedication (Luke 2). At age twelve, He amazed the teachers in the temple with His understanding. Later, He was in the temple when He saw the widow give all that she had.

In other words—Jesus made it His custom, His habit, His pattern to be in God’s house.

If Jesus—the Son of God—thought church was important, shouldn’t we? Titus 2 reminds us that we should show a pattern of good works. Our pattern of attending should far outweigh our pattern of missing.

Jesus was no stranger to worship, to hearing the Word, to giving, or to engaging in God’s house. May the same be true of us.

2. The Passage He Read (vv.17–19)

Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1–2:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor…”

This passage paints a picture of a merciful Savior. Notice who is mentioned—the poor, the brokenhearted, the blind, the captives, and the oppressed.

Those are people in need. And the gospel is always for those who know their need of salvation.

Jesus did interact with the wealthy and powerful, but His main ministry was to those who were hurting. This reminds us that the gospel is not about self-sufficiency but about Christ’s sufficiency.

3. The Pronouncement He Made (v.21)

Then Jesus made a bold announcement: “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

He was declaring that the prophecy of Isaiah—written 700 years earlier—was fulfilled right there in their presence. The Messiah they had been waiting for was standing before them!

This was radical. He was not just teaching Scripture—He was declaring Himself to be the fulfillment of it.

And it reminds us: though it may take time, God’s Word always comes to pass.

4. The Problem He Faced (vv.22–28)

At first, the people admired His words. But admiration quickly turned to criticism: “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

Familiarity bred unbelief. They had watched Jesus grow up in Nazareth. They could not imagine Him as the Messiah.

Then Jesus reminded them that in the days of Elijah and Elisha, God blessed Gentiles who had faith while many Israelites missed out. This angered them so much that they sought to kill Him.

Why? Because they wanted a Messiah who fit their expectations—a national hero, not a Savior for all nations.

People still do this today. They want a Jesus who heals, provides, or entertains—but not a Jesus who confronts sin or demands surrender.

5. The People Who Received (vv.30–32)

Though His hometown rejected Him, Jesus went to Capernaum—and there the people were astonished at His Word.

Same Jesus. Different hearts.

In Nazareth: familiarity and pride.
In Capernaum: hunger and openness.

The difference was not in Christ but in the condition of the people. That is still true today—those who are humble and hungry will always receive from Him.

Questions

1. Why do you think the people in Nazareth rejected Jesus, while the people in Capernaum received Him? What does this teach us about familiarity with the gospel?

2. When Jesus said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears,” what was He claiming—and why was it so radical?

3. Jesus reminded them that God’s blessings reached outsiders. Why do you think this truth made them so angry? How does it challenge us today?