Uncomfortable with Jesus
Luke 4:16, 22-30 (NLT)
When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures… All who were there spoke well of him and were amazed by the gracious words that fell from his lips. "How can this be?" they asked. "Isn't this Joseph's son?"
[23] Then he said, "Probably you will quote me that proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself'—meaning, 'Why don't you do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum?' [24] But the truth is, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.
[25] "Certainly there were many widows in Israel who needed help in Elijah's time, when there was no rain for three and a half years and hunger stalked the land. [26] Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a widow of Zarephath—a foreigner in the land of Sidon. [27] Or think of the prophet Elisha, who healed Naaman, a Syrian, rather than the many lepers in Israel who needed help."
[28] When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. [29] Jumping up, they mobbed him and took him to the edge of the hill on which the city was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, [30] but he slipped away through the crowd and left them.
1. Listen humbly to the gracious Jesus along with the Jesus that confronts us, in order for us to mature and grow free in Him.
28When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29Jumping up, they mobbed him and took him to the edge of the hill on which the city was built. They intended to push him over the cliff…
Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)
…because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Hebrews 12:10 (NIV)
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
When two or more people tell us about something we do not like to hear about ourselves, seriously consider if God is getting our attention.
Matthew 21:9, 27:20-22 (NIV)
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"…But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!"
2 Tim. 4:3 (NLT)
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear.
2. Only secure people can humbly consider uncomfortable truths before learning from them or Biblically rejecting them.
John 3:1-2 (NIV)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear.
John 6:60-69 (NLT)
Even his disciples said, "This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?"
[61] Jesus knew within himself that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, "Does this offend you? [62] Then what will you think if you see me, the Son of Man, return to heaven again? [63] It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. [64] But some of you don't believe me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who didn't believe, and he knew who would betray him.) [65] Then he said, "That is what I meant when I said that people can't come to me unless the Father brings them to me."
[66] At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. [67] Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you going to leave, too?"
[68] Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. [69] We believe them, and we know you are the Holy One of God."
3. Accept by faith first, even the uncomfortable truths of God and they will make perfect sense in the time to come.
Deut. 32:29 (NIV)
If only they were wise and would understand this and discern what their end will be!
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Work out salvation?
Philip. 2:12 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
Unforgivable Sin?
Luke 12:10 (NLT)
Yet those who speak against the Son of Man may be forgiven, but anyone who speaks blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.
Hyperbole
Matthew 10:37 (NLT)
If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.
Idioms
Romans 9:13 (NLT)
In the words of the Scriptures, "I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau."
Inconsistent Jesus?
John 2:4 (NASB)
And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come."
Luke 8:17 (NLT)
For everything that is hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light and made plain to all.