Throwing Jesus Under the Bus – Luke 4:22-30

The sin of unbelief leads to harsh consequences. We see in the OT, Abraham’s unbelief resulted in his first child, Ishmael, by Tamar, brought forth in sin. While Isaac, Abraham’s second son by Sarah was brought forth through the God’s promise. Ishmael is a major element in the Arab genetic line. Old records clearly link the north Arabians with Ishmael’s descendants. Abraham’s disobedience and distrust of God’s word resulted in disaster for Ishmael and generations to follow (Gen. 15:18). Unbelief have always existed since sin entered the world until present day.

What is unbelief?

“In short, to refuse to admit the truth of God’s Word; not depending on God as we ought to” (J.C. Ryle). Unbelief is distrusting, disobeying and denying Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, always associated with non-Christians. Another form of unbelief is practiced by Christians when they test God. God has given His very best, namely His one and only Son, but sometimes Christians hunger and thirst for something less rather than finding contentment in Christ alone. The Israelites who were in the wilderness were the same way even though God redeemed them from Egyptians. True belief is finding freedom in Christ alone.

Why unbelief is disastrous

And all were speaking well of [Jesus], and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” (v. 22). Despite Jesus’ preaching was amazing those in the synagogue did not consider the person of Jesus as the promised Messiah, born of the virgin Mary. They knew Jesus and his family; therefore, their conclusion was it was impossible that He can be the Christ unless He was able to prove He could heal Himself. In other words, His words were not enough for them to believe, but they sought signs. The disastrous end of their unbelief is blindness to the true source of eternal life (Jn. 1:3-5, 10-11). This type of unbelief is universal.

Unbelief is blind to reality (v. 25-27)

Unbelievers do not realize why they’re living in sin and unbelief. The sin of unbelief leads often to deny the reality of hell. Unbelief also prevents people from total surrender and removing their pride in order to see the reality that Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6a). What Jesus requires is total surrender to Him in humility to receive spiritual healing. And obedience is impossible without humility as exemplified in Christ’s obedience to the point of death on a cross. Are we willing to take up the cross and Christ’s disciples and follow Him?

Moreover, unbelief is murderous and ultimately hatred towards God (v. 28-29). Christians often do not take seriously those that profess their unbelief. But we need to recognize the reality of unbelief; that is, it appears innocent, but it is murderous. The rage of unbelief revealed in the NT shows that not believing in the gospel is not enough, but a true portrait of unbelief is they want to get rid of and remove Christ completely (Acts 7:56-59). This is because it comes down to confronting their sin before the holy God; the chief sin being unbelief.

Unbelief is the primary issue for all mankind. Only the power of the gospel of Christ is able to deliver us from unbelief to faith in Christ as demonstrated in His power in v. 30. Again, the only solution and master key to the problem of unbelief is to know Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2).

Understanding the depth of our sin helps us to realize the greater grace God gives in saving us. And to share this truth to others as the only means of their salvation.