Jesus visited his hometown Nazareth. In the synagogue, he read Isaiah's prophecy about the Messiah's mission: He would proclaim the good news to the poor, freedom for the captives and sight to the blind; His coming would be the year of the Lord's favor. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy. He is the Messiah. He frees us from sin and opens our spiritual eyes. He brings us God's great favor.

The initial response of people in Nazareth was positive. But because of their familiarity with him, the poor carpenter's son, they became hard- hearted to him. They could not believe that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus taught them that the Prophets Elijah and Elisha could not help the unbelieving Israelites but blessed only Gentiles who had faith in God. As the Israelites had tried to put their prophets to death, so did Jesus' hometown people. Like the saying "Familiarity breeds contempt," they saw Jesus humanly and rejected their Messiah. We are to live by faith in God like the widow of Sidon and Naaman the Syrian, not by human thinking.


Application: Lord, renew my heart and spirit and help me to proclaim the good news in the power of the Spirit.
One Word: The Lord's favor comes through faith