He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (John 1:11)

Daily reading: John 20

Jesus was well known in Nazareth, having lived there nearly 30 years as a kind, honest carpenter and a regular worshipper at the synagogue. One Sabbath He read from Isaiah, declaring, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me … and then said, Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing (Luke 4:16–21). By applying this prophecy to Himself, He exposed their unbelief. Though they knew Him well, the people were outraged and tried to kill Him by driving Him out to the edge of a cliff (Luke 4:28–30). Jesus, however, responded not with anger but with calm acceptance. He saw rejection as part of His Father’s plan and continued to treat others with love and compassion. Unlike the disciples who later wanted to call down fire on a rejecting village, Jesus showed restraint. His example teaches us to handle rejection with grace, trusting that some trials are part of God’s greater purpose.