Luke 4:21-30 (NRSV)
Read Luke 4:21-30 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Verse 22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" Verse 23He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'" Verse 24And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown. Verse 25But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; Verse 26yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. Verse 27There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." Verse 28When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. Verse 29They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. Verse 30But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Devotion
Some congregations have adopted the following statement:
“We will strive to become a community of grace, welcoming and forgiving one another as Christ has welcomed and forgiven us. We will welcome – those of different colored skin and heritage – those who suffer from addiction to drugs and alcohol whether they are recovering or not – single parents and their children even if they are disruptive – people who are gay or lesbian – people who are single, married or divorced – people who are promiscuous – women who have an abortion – men who have fathered children without taking responsibility for them – gossips – those who cheat – the selfish – people who are greedy – those who come with family problems – sinners like ourselves.”
If Jesus’ home congregation had adopted this position, would they have rejected Jesus? Do we also have our own hang-ups that become a part of our faith and worship practices and therefore exclude others?
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to be an instrument in making my congregation a place of warmth and welcome for all.