"HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE DEALING WITH ENEMIES AND OPPOSITION"
The verses below, are taken from Jesus's
ministry in His hometown of Nazareth, as He went into the synagogue and
taught from Isaiah 61:1-2b
Where He was explaining His mission, and that He was the fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy.
The reaction of the people was one of not being receptive, turning into rejection, and then rage, and attempting to kill Him.
Jesus escaped this attempt on his life, and continued to minister.
Please take a moment to read the verses,
( By the way, NLT, means, New Living Testament, and I've included that
version just to give you a little further appreciation for what is being
said. Right after the verses, there is some explanatory thoughts and a
prayer.
Luke 4:24Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.
NLT But the truth is, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.
Luke 4:28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
NLT When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious.
Luke 4:29 and rose up and thrust Him out
of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their
city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.
NLT Jumping up, they mobbed him and took
him to the edge of the hill on which the city was built. They intended
to push him over the cliff,
Luke 4:30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
NLT but he slipped away through the crowd and left them.
Luke 4:31Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths.
NLT Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day.
Some explanatory thoughts when dealing with enemies and opposition:
1. Don't be surprised if your own family
does not put much stock in your Christian witness. It's just the way it
is. See Luke 4:24
2. Don't be surprised if people actually get mad at you because you told them the truth about God. See Luke 4:28
3. Jesus escaped this attempt on His life, and God won't take you home either till it's in His will and timing. See Luke 4:29
4. Just keep at the will of God for your life, that's what Jesus did. See Luke 4:31
A prayer:
Lord, we thank You for Your Word, which
always sheds light on our lives and circumstances. These passages do
indeed help us understand the way people often react to the truth of
Your Word. May we remember, that even our Lord Jesus had this
assassination attempt on His life, for merely telling people the Word of
God, and identifying who He was. Father, these verses do indeed show us
the tremendous power of sin, of it's blinding power to the gospel of
Christ. It also shows us the need we have to depend on You to be the
opener of eyes to those who need to know You.
Lord, help us also to not be put off by opposition and enemies, but to keep to what You have called us to, just as Jesus did.
When it was all said and done, Jesus
ascended to heaven, and that is where we are going to wind up one day as
well. As for now, Lord, help us to be about Your business, in sharing
the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ. Gives us today, a fresh
filling of Your Holy Spirit, that we might serve You and be a good
witness of Your love, grace, mercy and power.
In Jesus name, amen
Pastor Bob Grenier.
