Question:
How would you describe your own perception of Christianity?
Many people consider Christianity to be outdated, unsophisticated or tried-and-failed.
In the days of scrolls, before there was such a thing as the blurb on the back of a book, the beginning of the scroll would give the reader an idea of the content and why it was worth reading.
What reasons does Luke give for why his account in particular is worth delving into as we seek to uncover the real Jesus?
It is commonly assumed that the gospels evolved over generations through a long process of ‘Chinese whispers’. However, there is good reason to be sceptical about this caricature. The Gospels were written well within the lifetime of many of the eyewitnesses. Those who met Jesus didn’t disappear in those early decades. Rather, they became well known figures and in demand among the early Christian community for their tales of their life-changing encounters with Jesus. These are the eyewitness testimonies that Luke carefully investigated and weaved into his ordered account.
Historical Context
Jesus was about 30 when he became a public figure, and from the beginning was known for his teaching and miracles. News about him spread like wildfire and his arrival in the towns and villages of first-century Palestine attracted large crowds.
In this early episode, an increasingly famous Jesus returns to his home town to speak at the local synagogue. Jesus reads from a scroll containing the message of the Old Testament Jewish prophet Isaiah (c.700 BC) before sitting down to explain what it means.
The passage Jesus chooses from the scroll he is given speaks of ‘the year of the Lord’s favour’. What, according to this prophecy, will characterise this new era?
‘The year of the Lord’s favour’ recalls the ancient Hebrew institution of the year of Jubilee, when once every 50 years all debts were wiped and everyone in society received a fresh start. The imagery here, however, goes way beyond social and economic disadvantage and speaks good news to those who recognise themselves to be enslaved, guilty and blind at the deepest personal level.
Do you think this good news would be received as good by everyone? Why might some respond with indifference or even take offence?
In verse 21, Luke identifies the ‘take-home message’ of Jesus’ sermon. What exactly does Jesus seem to be claiming about this prophecy?
While the people recognise a gracious authority in Jesus, are they wholly positive?
Jesus senses their reservations and anticipates the demand that he should, there and then, perform some of his famous healing miracles (verse 23).
Why do you think the people of Nazareth would demand displays of miraculous power from Jesus?
How does Jesus seem to view this precondition to accepting his message?
In verses 25–27 Jesus points back to a period in Old Testament history infamous for its indifference towards God and its tolerance of injustice. The prophets performed miracles in those days, but only among their Gentile neighbours, who were considered unclean and unworthy by Israel’s people at that time.
The people of Nazareth move from an initial positive response to murderous reactions. Why do you think they react so strongly to what Jesus says to them?
What do Jesus’ words in verses 25–27 suggest about who are most likely to receive his message as good news?
Why does this matter?
Luke tells us that he has carefully investigated the accounts of Jesus and has written his orderly account so that we (following his friend Theophilus) can carefully investigate these things for ourselves.
With this episode in mind, what things might prejudice or prevent us from fairly assessing the evidence Luke provides for Jesus Christ?
The gospels are full of people telling their stories - people asking questions, seeking relationships, searching for something more.
A central character, woven throughout each story, is Jesus, a historical figure surrounded by mystery. Join us as we explore these stories, and build up a picture of Jesus through the people he meets and the accounts that are written about him.