Repentance: A Tale of Two Cities
“And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.”
Luke 4:28-29 KJV
“And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about…Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.”
Luke 4:36-42 KJV
We all have a choice on how we respond to Christ. We can accept Him as our Savior, or we can reject Him. However, there are consequences to our choice.
The other day, my boys and I were reading Luke 4:16-44. This passages describes Jesus’ experience in two cities in Galilee: Nazareth and Capernaum. These cities, although close to each other, reacted VERY differently to Jesus’ teaching. Let’s look at each city separately.
Nazareth
Nazareth was the city Jesus grew up in. When Jesus came to Nazareth after the start of his ministry, He was already gaining fame in the Galilean region (Luke 4:14-15). In Nazareth, Jesus taught in the temple on the Sabbath day reading a very specific passage: Isaiah 61. This passage is a very obvious Messianic passage and everyone listening would have known that the words Jesus read were describing the Messiah to come. When Jesus finished reading, He makes a shocking statement, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Essentially, Jesus was telling the people that He is the Messiah spoken about in the Isaiah 61 passage. This could be considered blasphemy to the Jews. But how did the people of Nazareth respond?
After hearing Jesus’ words, they doubted them remembering that Jesus was Joseph’s son. Jesus warns them to not make the same mistake as Israel had done in the past. Israel had rejected the words of their own prophets who eventually turn to the Gentiles for followers. However, the people were angry with what Jesus had to say. They even attempted to kill Him! Remember, this is Jesus’ hometown! If anyone should be excited, it should be them.
Capernaum
After sneaking away from the people of Nazareth, who were intent to kill Him, Jesus now goes to Capernaum. Capernaum is another city located in Galilee. Again, we are told that Jesus taught them on the Sabbath days as well. What was their response?
The people “were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power” (Luke 4:32). The response of those in Capernaum was acceptance. They loved Jesus so much that they even later begged Him to stay, but He entreated them that He must go “preach the kingdom of God to other cities also” (Luke 4:43).
Unlike Nazareth, at Capernaum, Jesus performed many miracles. Luke 4:40-41 says, “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them. And the devils also came out of many…”. The people were greatly blessed for their belief.
The Consequence
It is true that Nazareth and Capernaum differed in their response to Christ. But we must remember that because of their responses, they also differed in their blessings! Their choices had real consequences. Nazareth chose to reject Jesus Christ and in so doing, they also rejected the blessing that they would have received. Capernaum, on the other hand, accepted the doctrine of Christ, and in turn, received blessings from Jesus. Many were healed and cleansed by Christ in Capernaum.
Which city are you like? Will you be Nazareth or Capernaum?
It is not uncommon to see “Christians” who want to see power and miracles in their lives. They wonder why their lives are absent of God’s blessings. All the while, they reject Christ’s doctrine in their lives. I have met many “Christians” who even believe that the gifts of the spirit are “dead.” I reject this notion. Perhaps, what is dead is you not the gifts. Why would Jesus stay and bless you if you kick Him out of your life?
Do you want to see God work in your life? Follow Christ. Love Him. Hold to Him. Keep Him in your life. If you do this, you will see amazing things! If you do not feel God working in your life, turn to Christ and then repent, and follow Him.