Jesus in Nazareth
Jesus began his ministry in his own hometown of Nazareth . After struggling with temptation in the wilderness and armed with the Holy Spirit, Jesus was ready to face his most difficult challenge—delivering his message to the people who knew him best.
To many Jesus was the fulfillment of the hopes of the Jewish people for a Messiah. But some Jewish people saw his ministry as a rejection of his heritage; they rejected his claim that he was the Messiah. A the synagogue in Nazareth , where Jesus—a native son—had come to pray and to worship God, the flickering flames of this rejection began. The people who heard him that day asked one another; Who is this? Isn’t this Joseph’s son? How presumptuous for him to claim the status of Messiah?
The passages that Jesus read in the synagogue that day were from Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming of the Spirit of God. The Gentiles who heard this message after Jesus’ death longed for the time. These people were struggling under the oppressive yoke of the Roman government. They received these words with great hope.
But what is good news to a younger elementary child? A new baby brother? A surprise gift? Might good news also, be a safe place to live, a good warm meal, warn clothing, a dependable parent? Good news is relative to the child. The message of good news that Jesus was preaching had to do with fairness and justice for all peple.
Fairness and justice. These two words that can be applied to younger elementary children. They want everything to be even. They also want justice. If one child is given a privilege, then all children want an equal privilege. If a child is punished, then any child committing the same transgression should be punished equally. The rules should be fair for everyone.
Jesus set an example of fairness and justice for all people to follow. The children in Sunday school will discover that they can be bearers of good news as well. They can make a difference.
Sunday, your children will hear the story of Jesus’ visit to the synagogue at Nazareth . These Jesus revealed to the people that he was the promised Messiah. But the people there, friends and neighbors who watched Jesus grow up, did not accept him. For one thing, Jesus informed all who heard that God had sent him as the Messiah to all people—not just his own. Your children are at an age where fairness is a critical issue. How many games have fallen apart in a discussion over what is fair or just? Talk with your children about being fair to all people. Remind them that sometimes we have to sacrifice in order to be fair or just for all persons involved.
We will be playing and coloring cards and this will be called encouraging words, no fair race, the story will be about the obstacles that Jesus has to face and how it relates to us, a gme called whose good news and finally a game called over and under good news.
Bible Verse
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor.
Luke 4:18
Bible Story
Luke 4:14-21; Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6
Lisa Wille
E mail: lisa11675@gmail.com
Cell: 770-362-2175
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