They Don't Listen

"And [Jesus] said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 25But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30But passing through their midst, he went away." (Luke 4:24-30)

There is a conclusion drawn recently that people are less civil these days. "They don't even listen if they know you support...," the thought starts, followed by a story that includes evidence of the act of people who are clearly not tolerant of what you believe, say or do. It's not a new sentiment or fact that people don't like hearing what they don't want to hear to the point of anger.

This week we've been reading how God is revealed to us through the marvels of His creation, the acts of His people, and through the hearing of the Word. Today, God's Word, Jesus Christ, reveals Himself. In the first act of Christ's revelation, He preaches the Word and is well-received, until He comes home to Nazareth. There the people react in a very angry way and threaten to throw Him over a cliff (Acts 7 - the Stoning of Stephen shows us a similar reaction from the crowd with the addition of screaming and covering their ears).

Christ will share later, “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." (Luke 12:49-51)

Christ, the Word of God (John 1) and God's Word, written, are divisive. Why have people killed or threatened those who share it historically and now? Fear is probably the main reason. Fear of a perceived loss or threat by its potent truth it delivers. Anger and resentment generated by the fear of a loss of control over the people the Truth liberates. Sin takes shape in many forms.

Be on guard, Peter will tell us: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you" (1 Peter 5:8-10).

Satan loves to divide men. He loves to divide the church specifically and will resort to lies to hide the Truth or blind those who hear it, to the point of driving people out. We speak the Truth in love and pray for God's Spirit to pierce the hearts of men to reveal this Truth and shine light in darkness.

We have nothing to fear in Christ, using His Word. Christ has revealed Himself and the Word of God continues to reveal the Truth through the Spirit and the gifts we are given to share this Truth.

Pray with me: Dear Lord, we pray that people are receptive when we speak Your Truth in love. May we be vessels that Your Spirit uses to speak Your Word and share the Truth. We ask that Your Spirit open men's hearts in order that they might know You. In Christ's Name, Amen.