Reflect today on the most difficult teaching of Jesus that you have struggled with

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit and his news spread throughout the region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. Luke 4: 21–22a

Jesus had just spent forty days in the wilderness, fasting and praying before starting His public ministry. His first stop was Galilee, where he entered the synagogue and read from the prophet Isaiah. However, soon after his words were spoken in the synagogue, he was driven out of the city and people tried to throw him over the hill to kill him.

What a shocking contrast. In the beginning Jesus was "praised by all", as we see in the passage above. His word has spread like wildfire in all cities. They had heard of His baptism and the Voice of the Father speaking from Heaven, and many were curious and enthusiastic about Him. to Him and sought His life.

Sometimes we can fall into the trap of thinking that the gospel will always have the effect of bringing people together as one. Of course, this is one of the central goals of the Gospel: to unite in the Truth as the one people of God. But the key to unity is that unity is possible only when we all accept the saving truth of the Gospel. All. And that means we need to change our hearts, turn our backs on the stubbornness of our sins and open our minds to Christ. Unfortunately, some do not want to change and the result is division.

If you find that there are aspects of Jesus' teaching that are difficult to accept, think about the passage above. Go back to this initial reaction of the citizens when they all talked about Jesus and praised Him. This is the right answer. Our difficulties with what Jesus says and what he calls us to repent of should never have the effect of leading us to unbelief rather than praising him in everything.

Reflect today on the most difficult teaching of Jesus that you have struggled with. Everything he says and everything he taught is for your good. Praise him no matter what happens and allow your heart of praise to give you the wisdom you need to understand everything Jesus asks of you. Especially those teachings that are more difficult to accept.

Lord, I accept all that you have taught and I choose to change those parts of my life that do not conform to your most holy will. Give me the wisdom to see the thing I must repent of and soften my heart so that it always remains open to You. Jesus I believe in you