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NASB | Luke 4:28 And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 4:28 As they heard these things [about God's grace to these two Gentiles], the people in the synagogue were filled with a great rage; |
Bible Question:
It occurs to me that it is difficult for anyone to ignore Jesus. He makes claims (as in John 14:6). He calls (as in Matthew 11:28). He offers (as in John 10:10). He warns (as in John 3:36). And people have to react to him, somehow (as in Matthew 27:22). They either bow to him or they have to actively reject him. As for the religious leaders, I think that the words the Bible uses are Envy, and Jealousy, depending on the translation (See Matthew 27:18). The idea is that they would rather be the focus of attention and the locus of control. It happened in the ministry of Paul. Many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming (Acts 13). The same thing may be happening today, and it is a fearful thing. (Proverbs 27:4) "Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?" But it is a dangerous thing as well, to try to overshadow and detract from him, for he says, "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another" (Isaiah 42:8). Reflecting on Luke 6:46, the words of Jesus: “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” it is poignant to me, when the Lord asks why. We’d better get with it. Looking at his prayer (John 17:21) "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" we know God‘s will. We’d better get with it. It sends me to Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. It causes me to recall 1 Corinthians 3:3 Whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? It causes one to wonder whether Jesus would say what Paul says in 2Co 12:20 “I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults”. We are directed in Galatians 5:26 “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another”. But we must also consider the words of Paul in Philippians 1. “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, … But the other of love, … What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice”. Paul faced envy and he gives us the idea that we can live with it. why is Jesus hated today, even by those using His name? We must also consider the words of Peter (2 Peter 2:1) “There were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction”. There will be false prophets. We have to live with that. |
Bible Answer: You make several good points but let's not forget the tremendous capacity of compassion and mercy from our God as reflected in Jesus' ministry here on earth. He showed a huge amount of mercy, forgiveness and compassion on a large number of people like the woman caught in the very act of adultery. I would also refer you to a previous post 120739. We must remember the devil is the perfect opposite of our Lord, Jesus as the perfect teacher and ideal High Priest, with the devil as the ultimate deceiver. He can paint a bald face lie like that in the Garden of Eden and make it appear pleasing and attractive in spite of its being in direct disobedience to our Father. Also, we must practice the guidance given by Jesus Himself in Matt 13. If we're not certain as to the motivation of the people we see in the world, we must treat them with care, allowing both the strong in faith (wheat) and all the others (possible tares) grow together and let God sort us out upon His final Judgment. But that doesn't mean we can't teach them from God's Word for we must if we're going to obey the Lord. Hope this helps and God bless. --Rowdy |