A Hometown Welcome

The Word of God is indeed 'living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword'. When Jesus reads the words of the prophet Isaiah in Luke 4:16-30, he does not declare something still to come, he fulfils the very word he proclaims - a word of liberty, forgiveness and favour. Those who heard Jesus preach in his hometown of Nazareth marveled at his words. However, before he finished preaching, their astonishment turned into violent anger as Jesus prophetically spoke of their rejection of him and reminded them that presumptuous complacency leads to judgment. Such an attitude refuses to receive the salvation of God in faith and repentance.