Jesus early ministry and opposition

As He was growing up Luke tells us that, “Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people” (Luke 2:52). Even early in His ministry we are told “He began teaching in their synagogues and was esteemed by all” (Luke 4:15). The Greek word translated as esteemed – doxazó – means to recognize His value, to value Him for who He was. However, opposition begins to arise.

Jesus enters the synagogue in Nazareth and claims to be the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah found in Isaiah 61:1-2. Experiencing there rejection Jesus noted that “no prophet is welcome in His home town” (Luke 4:23). Contrast their response with the response of the Samaritans who investigated His claim to be the Messiah. They came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah based on His teachings (John 4:41-42).

To drive home the rejection by the Jewish people Jesus sites two instances where God chose to bless gentiles instead of Jews (Luke 4:25-27). The people were outraged and attempted to kill Him but He was protected by God (Luke 4: 28-30). After this Jesus leaves Nazareth and makes Capernaum His new home. He does this as the fulfillment of another of Isaiah’s prophecies (Isaiah 9:1-2).

Even as opposition was starting to mount, Jesus starts to assemble His disciples. He calls two sets of brothers, Andrew and Peter and John and James (Matthew 4:18-22). Andrew and Peter had been disciples of John the Baptist that began to follow Jesus after He was baptized. Now, they were being called to follow Jesus permanently.

Next Jesus drives a demon out of a man that interrupted Him as He was teaching in Capernaum (Luke 4:31-37). The demon recognizes Jesus as “the Holy One of God” (Luke 4:34). This is a title for the Messiah. Further, “the Holy One of God” is one with the Father. As Jesus said in John 10:30, “I and the Father are One.” This is the amazing truth that God came down to earth in human form to be the Savior of all mankind. While men cannot become gods, THE God of the universe became a man. He suffered, died a physical death and was resurrected. His actions made a way for us to receive forgiveness for our sins and be adopted sons and daughters of Yehovah, our God.

The Gospels next go on to relate a number of healings Jesus performed as well as times that He cast out demons. It is important to note that scripture describes these as separate activities. Critics of the Bible suggest that due to their lack of scientific knowledge, the people of the Bible attributed to demons any and all physical and mental health problems. Scripture says Jesus healed diseases and drove out demons. The writers understood both the physical and spiritual dimensions of life could be disrupted. Jesus showed He had the power to overcome all physical and spiritual problems.

Message and miracles were the two complementary components of Jesus’ ministry.