MONDAY-THIRD WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-A

I Reading: 2Kings 5:1-15: There were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman

Gospel: Luke 4:24-30: Like Elijah and Elisha, Jesus is not sent to the Jews only.

Jesus Announces His Mission: A Graphic Picture of Rejection, Lk 4:16-30

Jesus Christ claimed to be the Messiah, and his claim was rejected by the people of his day. His claim still rejected by people today. A graphic picture of rejection is painted in the present passage.

1.    A dramatic scene (v.16)

a.    Jesus visited his home town

b.    Jesus entered the synagogue-His custom on the Sabbath

2.    Scene 1: Jesus’ dramatic reading form the prophet Isaiah-concerned the Messiah (v.17-19)

a.    The Messiah was to be anointed by the Spirit

b.    The Messiah was to preach the gospel (Good News)

c.     The Messiah was to be minister

d.    The Messiah was to preach the age of salvation

3.    Scene 2: Jesus’ phenomenal claim (v.20-21)

a.    The rapt attention of the people

b.    The claim of Jesus to be the Messiah

4.    Scene 3: The people’s declining response (v.22-23)

a.    First: they were impressed

b.    Second: they questioned

c.     Third: they demanded proof-instead he heal (prove) himself, that is work miracles.

5.    Scene 4: The people’s painful rejection (v.24-27)

a.    Illustration 1: only one needy widow had her needs met in Elijah’s day-because only one widow accepted Elijah

b.    Illustration 2: only one needy leper was cleansed in Elisha’s day-because only one leper accepted Elisha

6.    Scene 5: The people’s true spirit (v.28-30)

a.    An insane wrath: a close mindedness

b.    An insane assault: to silence Jesus

c.     The insane behaviour of the people failed

Thought: A person or people may wish to silence Jesus and his followers, but their efforts will be to no avail. The message of the Gospel will never be silenced. (Mt 16:16, 18; Lk 21:33; cp. Mt 5:18; 1Kgs 8:56; Ps 111:7).

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