Let this mind be in you. The Christian life is not merely intellectual assent to a list of orthodox tenets. It is internalizing the teaching and example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And as we look at Christ through the infallible lens of God’s Word the Bible, we are reminded that his way is up-side-down (or rather right-side-up) from the way of this world. Jesus did not work his way to the top; he started at the top, as God himself, and yet chose to humble himself for the sake of his people.

Here was a self-made man: Jesus, who is due all glory and honor, made himself of no reputation. Jesus, who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, took on himself the role of a servant. How sad and ironic that most of us spend all our energy in life striving to do the exact opposite.

This is doubtless why Jesus, from the outset, told those who admired him that they would have to deny themselves in order to become his disciple. Yet so many Christians want to claim discipleship, but without the sacrifice, without the self-denial, without the humility.

Beloved, let this mind be in you — may you internalize the reality of who Christ is, of how he lived, and of what he demands of us.

When it comes to sin, we often set ourselves up for defeat. We try to see how close we can get to moral failure, or heady success, or romantic involvement without doing anything wrong.

Paul, however, tells us that is wrong. Our goal should be, not merely to keep from committing big, public sins but to abstain from anything that might lead to sin for us, or look like sin to others. We are to foster a pure heart and an irreproachable Christian witness.

While this command does not give the legalist the right to add to God’s law or raise God’s standard of holiness, it should give the sincere Christian a timely warning about the dangers of sin. It is not to be played with, tested out, or carelessly ignored. It is to be avoided at all costs.

Don’t be satisfied with merely escaping the culmination of any sin; abstain from sin’s beginnings, from its first flickering flame.

And avoid all appearance of evil. We are quick to judge the besetting sins of others, and equally quick to defend our own. Yet no sin is acceptable to God and so no sin should be downplayed by us. Every sin — whether public and noticeable or private and indiscernible — must be conscientiously avoided or battled.

What about you? Are you flirting with sin, or are you shunning its very appearance? Is your heart and mind consecrated to the Lord, and is your life above reproach to the glory of God?

Someone has said, “God always answers our prayers, either by giving us what we ask for or by giving us something even better.” In Paul’s case, God gave him something even better.

Paul was afflicted with what he described as “a thorn in the flesh” — it was something that caused him constant pain. It was such a deep-felt difficulty that he took it fervently to God in prayer, three times pleading to have his suffering taken away.

The verse above is God’s answer to Paul.

But how was this an answer to prayer? God didn’t remove Paul’s painful burden. In fact, God told Paul that he wouldn’t remove it at all. But God’s answer to Paul’s prayer was even better: my grace is sufficient for thee.

Notice God didn’t say, “My grace is sufficient for this difficulty;” God said “My grace is sufficient for you, Paul.” Paul asked for deliverance from one ordeal, but God guaranteed him grace for every trial, throughout his life.

And, although Paul would still experience much suffering, God reminded him that this simply gave him an even greater opportunity to exalt the name of Christ. My strength, God declared, is even more evident when you are helpless. Therefore, this struggle is an opportunity for you to fulfill your purpose as a Christian, more than you ever could in a pain-free life.

Beloved, rest assured that God’s grace is still sufficient, and that his power is still being manifested through the difficulties you face in your life. What a marvelous answer to prayer this is!

The Bible Knowledge Commentary on Old and New Testaments – popular in style and scholarly in content – will deepen your understanding of God’s written Word, discussing the Bible verse by verse and often phrase by phrase.
This commentary will help any student of the Bible answer the following questions about the Scriptures:
• What does that verse mean?
• How should I interpret this passage?
• What is the significance of this word or phrase in Greek or Hebrew?
• How do Bible-time customs help me understand the meaning of this passage?
• How can this alleged contradiction be explained?
• How does the information on the author, historical background, and features of a Bible book help interpret that book?
The Bible Knowledge Commentary will be welcomed by a wide spectrum of Bible students, from the beginner, who will find it easy to understand and easy to use, to the advanced, who will find it consistently thorough and reliable. The readable style, combined with careful scholarship, make this a Bible study aid its users will add to their “most-used” shelf of books.
Note: This version of the Bible Knowledge Commentary does not contains the maps, charts, or images of the print version at this time.

The idea of going home holds many emotions. It could be exciting, nerve-wracking, relieving, and terrifying – all rolled into one. If you moved back in with your parents after college or visited old friends from school or work, maybe you’ve felt apprehension along with your anticipation.

In Luke 4:16-30, Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth and has a less-than-welcoming reception. If you’re wondering why Jesus’ own town rejected him, you’re in the right place!

We will be using the Bible Knowledge Commentary for background information.

Arrival

In the beginning of this story, Jesus arrives at Nazareth, his childhood home town. Because he was a popular teacher, he taught at the synagogue on the Sabbath. He stood up and read Isaiah 61:1-2, which says,

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” -Isaiah 61:1-2 as quoted in Luke 4:18-19

Interpretation

This reading was significant because Jesus stopped in the middle of Isaiah 6:2 without reading the next line about God’s vengeance. When Jesus added, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing,” Jesus implied that he was the Messiah who could bring the long-awaited kingdom of God without the impending judgement yet.

Conflict

What happens next is interesting – first, they were amazed at his “gracious words,” then they immediately began questioning his authority and honor. How could Joseph’s son – the boy they saw grow up in their town – be the Messiah?

It’s one thing to come home with a college degree or spouse (like I, this article writer did), but Jesus was definitely in a unique position!

Rebuke

“‘Truly I tell you,’” he continued, ‘no prophet is accepted in his hometown.’” -Luke 4:24

Jesus, sensing their opposition, noted two instances in which God’s prophets ministered miraculous acts of grace to Gentiles while Israel was in unbelief – Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16), and Elisha and Naaman the Syrian leper (2 Kings 5:1-19).

Rejection

The people were furious with Jesus’ mention of Gentiles rather than Jews having God’s blessing. In their anger, they confirmed Christ’s claim of Israel’s unbelief.

“All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.”

They attempted to kill him but he walked right through the crowd! Luke no doubt described a miraculous escape from an angry crowd. This pattern is seen throughout the rest of Jesus’ ministry: Jesus went to the Jews; they rejected Him; He told of Gentile participation in the kingdom; some Jews wanted to kill Him. But He was not killed until the proper time, when He chose to die (Luke 23:46).

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