Today’s Gospel is the continuation of last week’s scene where Jesus preaches in the synagogue at Nazareth, with Luke 4: 21 being used as the conclusion of the first part and the opening of the second: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing”. The next verse says: “And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth”.

Then, in the blink of an eye, Luke records a change of mood. They ask “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” In other words they have been impressed by Jesus’ words, but then they realize he is a familiar figure, a local lad whom they’ve seen in Nazareth before; and they lose faith in him. It seems that Jesus is not surprised by their reaction. He tells them “No prophet is accepted in his own native place” and he compares himself to Elijah and Elisha who helped foreigners rather than the people of Israel. It’s at that point that their doubt and questioning turns to anger: “They were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill…to hurl him down headlong”.

Luke introduces this description of the hostility of the people of Nazareth early in his Gospel (the scene comes later in Mark and it’s not so violent) and it’s as if he is setting out the battle lines from the beginning. As the story unfolds we will see Jesus completely rejected by the people of Israel. They will confirm in their own minds that he is only “the son of Joseph” and not the Son of God when they cry out “Crucify him”. Once again Jesus will be taken out of the town – outside the walls of Jerusalem – and to a hill – the hill of Calvary. And this time they will successfully put him to death, not “hurling him down” but raising him up on the cross.

Take note, though, of the last words of today’s Gospel: “But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away”. Here Luke is looking to the ultimate conclusion of the Gospel. On the third day Jesus will pass through the midst of all his assailants – the Jews, the Romans, even death itself; and on the day of his Ascension he will indeed “go away”, returning to his Father. It’s at that time, as Luke will record in the Acts of the Apostles, that the work of the prophets Elijah and Elisha with foreigners is fulfilled because it becomes clear that the Good News of Jesus Christ is not restricted to “his own native place” but is destined for the whole world – until now it has come to us. May Jesus be our familiar friend, our everyday companion, but may we never take his presence for granted or underestimate his power. If we are faithful He will take us with him, to “pass through the midst” of all our problems and know new life.

Fr. Augustine