Luke 4. Early on in Jesus’ ministry he was in his hometown synagogue at Nazareth. He read the portion in Isaiah that describes the coming of the Messiah, that he be a healer; he will set captives free; he will preach the gospel to the poor, etc. It says that the people “wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” A beautiful setting, the people loved to hear his words, and had a sort of eager expectation about this man. But then something changed the mood…

Jesus then said, “You will surely say unto me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.” Then he basically began to tell his hometown people that they were not going to receive his ministry, and that in fact, this was not anything new, for a “prophet is not without honor, save among his own country, and among his own kin.” He reminded them that when Elijah was the prophet in the land that he was not sent to any widows in Israel (although there were many widows in Israel), but rather to the widow of Zarephath – a gentile (1 Kings 17). And also, when Elisha was prophet in the land, the only leper he was commissioned to heal was Naaman the Syrian – another gentile (even though there were many lepers in Israel). And here is the big moment I want to focus on…

At this moment it says, “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) Apparently Jesus touched on a very sensitive nerve here. The question I have is – Are you able to endure seeing or watching other people be blessed? Do you rejoice for them and add fuel to their rejoicing? Or is it the opposite for you – Does it make you angry and furious? Does it make you want to take their little stinking trophy and smash it on the ground? Does it make you want to pour ice cold water all of their joy-fire? 

These Nazarenes were like Jonah – they could not endure even the sound of hearing that God would overlook the needs of a Jew and minister to Gentiles. It was so evil in their ears that without any trial at all they in total agreement wanted to throw Jesus off of the cliff of their city! 

Why do you get so angry when you see other people blessed? It may be seeing a fellow employee get a promotion – deserved or undeserved, it really doesn’t matter. It may be seeing another Christian be gifted a new car or something that you have wanted. You may be a Pastor or Christian leader and you are upset that other people’s ministries are growing and that special things are happening there. You may be a woman who is upset that some other woman has be blessed with many children or a successful husband, and they have many nice things in their life, but not you. Children get upset with their siblings when they get the bigger piece of the pie. Whatever the situation – what is the condition of your heart? 

The Pharisees had Jesus killed because they were jealous, envious of his success. Saul sought David every single day because he could not handle David’s success and fame. 

If you have a problem seeing other people blessed, your real problem is with God. God is the ultimate source of every good gift, and if you are not happy with God giving out those gifts to others, you are being selfish and simply angry with God. You have concluded that God is unrighteous for giving gifts to them as opposed to you. “Doesn’t God know that I deserve those gifts and not them???” Have you forgotten what you actually deserve? The only thing you deserve is Hell, and anything less than that is mercy, and anything more is grace. So, what about your neighbor – do they deserve any good thing they receive? No, it is the same with them – anything less than Hell is mercy, anything more is grace. That puts God as the one responsible, ultimately, for the distribution of every good gift. 

We are supposed to “rejoice with them that rejoice.” (1 Cor. 12) True love does not seek its own (1 Cor. 13). Philippians 2:4 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Be glad when you see others promoted, blessed, healed, congratulated, etc. 

The selfishness and greed of the Nazarenes of Jesus’ day did not procure more blessing, but rather repelled God’s blessing away from them. You are much more likely to attract favor if you rejoice at the favor given to others. Amen.