Epiphany 4 (2025)

Luke 4:20–30 (NIV84)

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. 23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’ ” 24 “I tell you the truth,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

People have reacted to Jesus in many ways, including curiosity, amazement, repulsion, hostility, indifference, and acceptance. 

Do you have glossophobia? Like many conditions, those who are learned like to take a common thing and describe it with Latin or Greek words that we don’t know. Perhaps to make them sound more informed or so that as the English language changes, the meaning of the word remains because it is from a language no longer used such as Latin.

So maybe we don’t even know what glossophobia is or whether or not we have it. Well, don’t worry. It isn’t a fatal medical condition . . . but it can result in serious consequences when you overcome it.

The fear of public speaking is called glossophobia. 

It is considered a common phobia where individuals experience significant anxiety when speaking in front of a group of people, often stemming from a fear of judgment or negative evaluation from others. 

It can be overcome.

When I was in 8th grade my pastor made some positive remarks about my faith and knowledge and encouraged me to prepare for the public ministry. Like many 8th graders, I had my share of anxieties including public speaking.

In my freshman year at Randolph High School, my English teacher (Mrs. Schreiber) took me aside after class one day and asked me to join the Forensics club. My reaction? What is Forensics?

Forensics is an organization that competes in various categories to improve speaking skills in front of an audience. It helps students with eye contact, articulation, and poise so that they are able to present themselves to others in the best light. The categories include: Demonstration Speech 4-Minute Speech Oratory Special Occasion Speech Extemporaneous Speaking Moments in History Public Address Radio Speaking Poetry Reading Prose Reading Farrago Reading Storytelling Solo Acting Play Acting

It would involve public speaking and exposure to glossophobia. One reason I agreed to join was I was seriously considering my pastor’s encouragement to study for the ministry and I knew that such an activity would include public speaking. Even though I had some anxiety (perhaps not fear), I learned that this activity would help me overcome what many fear.

Forensics helped me be confident when it came to public speaking because it trained me in the following areas.

Ask for constructive feedback from friends, family, or mentors who are experienced speakers

Use their input to refine your skills. Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you practice, the more confident you'll become. Repeated exposure to public speaking situations will desensitize you to the fear. Embrace Mistakes:

Other factors also can help.

These steps may help:

Know your topic. ...

Get organized. ...

Practice, practice, practice. ...

Challenge specific worries. ...

See yourself as a success. ...

Breathe deeply. ...

Focus on your material, not the audience. ...

Don't fear a moment of silence.

This was a good start. The training I received at college and especially the seminary also helped me prepare for what I would do almost every week coming up on 40 years, Lord willing.

Through all that time, I have been blessed to not experience what Jesus’ did early in his career as a public speaker. Recall that one of the fears of public speaking is being anxious about how the crowd will react. Will they be open to what you say? Will they agree, even praise you? Will your wise and persuasive words move them to action?

Or will they at best be indifferent, bored, or non committal?

Or will they throw rotten tomatoes at you, boo, or cover their ears and shout, or leave.

Will they leave negative reviews on Facebook?

Will they try to kill you?

We aren’t told Jesus’ emotional state when he began to preach to his hometown of Nazareth, but I would assume that he had a pretty good idea how the people were going to react. This is part of the mystery of him being true God and also true man who was living in a state of exinanition. (Emptying himself).

Jesus would face a variety of reactions.

Eyes were fastened on him.

All spoke well of him.

“Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

Jesus bridge acknowledging their rejection of him.

All the people were furious.

Got up and drove him out of town.

Tried to kill him.

This reminds us of the different responses to Jesus throughout his ministry.

Reactions to Jesus' miracles 

Amazement: Some people were amazed by Jesus' miracles, such as healing a paralytic man

Repulsion: Some people were repulsed by Jesus' power, such as when he cast demons out of two men

Glorification of God: Some people were moved to glorify God after witnessing a miracle

Reactions to Jesus' crucifixion 

Mocking: Jewish guards, Roman soldiers, and people passing by mocked Jesus

Abuse: Jewish guards, Roman soldiers, and people passing by abused Jesus

Grief: Those who loved and followed Jesus were broken by their experiences

Reactions to Jesus' teachings 

Curiosity: Some people were curious to see Jesus' miracles

Interest: Some people were interested in Jesus' teachings, but considered other things more important

Reactions to Jesus' claim to be God 

Upset: Some people were upset about Jesus' claim to be God and sought to destroy Him

It should also remind us of how people respond to Jesus and message of the Gospel even today.

Unlike the question “

Does God exist?

” the question of whether Jesus Christ existed is asked by relatively few people. Most accept that Jesus was truly a man who lived in Israel 2,000 years ago. The debate begins with the discussion of Jesus’ full identity. Almost every major religion teaches that Jesus was a prophet or a good teacher or a godly man. But the Bible tells us that Jesus was infinitely more than a prophet, a good teacher, or a godly man.

Unfortunately, many modern scholars tend to separate the account of Jesus in the Bible from the historical Jesus.

Another reaction (or lack thereof) is disconcerting.

“My problem is that most of the people I talk to today have almost no reaction to Jesus. The only thing they feel towards Jesus is apathy, a complete indifference.

How do I reconcile these two facts? On the one hand every person who meets Jesus in the Bible reacts strongly to him. On the other hand, most people that I meet today seem to have no significant reaction to Jesus?

The only conclusion that makes any sense to me, is to conclude that most people that I meet today

HAVE NEVER REALLY MET JESUS.

This is as tragic as it is surprising, for most of the people that I meet have had some contact with the Church – the institution that is meant to make Jesus known to the World.

Most of them have also had contact with at least a few practising Christians – people who are meant to make the love of Jesus real to those around them. Most of them have also had at least some contact with the Bible and it’s contents – God’s revelation of himself to the World.

Yet, in spite of all this, most people seem never to have had a real encounter with Jesus.

They cannot have had, otherwise they would have a strong reaction to him.” — Fuel for Pilgrims.

Solution? In a different sermon by Jesus he commands his followers, “Let your light shine before men . . . “ Those who have glossophobia avoid opportunities to let their thoughts be heard. Jesus’ thoughts are much greater and more needed than our own thoughts. Living for Jesus in spite of our anxiety will give others the opportunity to at least be exposed to the Gospel so that a reaction can be made.