SUBJ: The reasons of the angry reaction of those at Nazareth and the observation that this is, also, typical of many who perceive a threat to their pride.

AIM: That we might be made more receptive to the Grace of God and humbled by the knowledge that it is according to His will and purpose.

INTR: The ministry of our Lord was met with many different responses. This one is unique in its setting and the irrational reaction of His hearers.
1. The nature of His ministry in other places had caused His fame to spread and it is certain that these folks had heard it.
2. His standing was His custom. Neither He, nor His custom was unknown to them.
3. That He should appear at the time that this passage was to be read (the lessons for the day were assigned) was not mere coincidence but a precious manifestation of divine providence.

THESIS: We must be both humbled and elated that God “will have mercy on who He will have mercy” (Romans 9:15) and that “the righteousness of God is “unto all and upon all them that believe.” See Romans 3:22.

I. The message (vv. 18-19)
1. He is first declared to be qualified and anointed.
2. The gospel to the poor (Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.)
1) The healing of the brokenhearted: Psalms 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. AND Psalms 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. AND Ezekiel 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
2) Deliverance to the captives: Psalms 102:20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; AND Read Psalm 107:10-16 AND S.A. Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
3) Recovering sight to the blind: Psalms 146:8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: AND John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
4) To liberate and enable them that are bruised: Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. – The bruised reed was not broken.
3. The Acceptable year – the day of Jubilee – the day of reconciliation – Isaiah 63:4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

II. The application (vv. 20-22)
1. They could not deny that His words were gracious (even in reading).
2. They obviously anticipated that He would say more –“the eyes of all fastened on Him.
3. This day and this scripture – All had come together to declare Him as the Messiah.
4. Is not this Joseph’s son?

III. The insight of our Lord (vv. 23-24)
1. While troubled at His claim, they still expected miracles and wonders as He had done elsewhere. They expected the sensational according to the flesh.
2. At this point He clearly sees that familiarity ends and contempt begins.
3. They would judge Him based on a performance or lack thereof. God does not acquiesce to the expectations of men. His proving of Himself is only through faith.

IV. The terms of grace applied (vv. 25-27)
1. No elaboration is needed here (although each of these accounts is worthy of study). Two well known incidents are here given to show the Sovereignty of God in His display of mercy.
2. The revelation that God is Sovereign in all things silences the critic. They would openly reject them, and He would declare them to be excluded from mercy.

V. The refusal and rebellion (vv. 28-30)
1. Apart from the mercy of God men will always chose pride and tradition over the gracious declarations of the Gospel.
2. Depravity runs deep (Though your sins be as scarlet) and they would have killed Him. This is the reaction of man’s free will to any threat to his pride. It is by Grace alone that we are liberated from such.
3. They would have killed Him then, but it was not the time.