The people are surprised by Jesus. They thought they knew him. He was a local boy. They had seen him grow up. They knew his parents. We can also have our own impressions of people which are difficult to change. And that can make it difficult to see them in a new light, as instruments of God in our world.

Jesus is a prophet in this gospel. He is pointing to rejection in history and to the future when he will also be rejected. By pointing out that God has aided foreigners in the past, he also foreshadows that he will bring salvation not only to the Jewish people but to the Gentiles also.

Jesus is challenging them to open their minds and hearts and see the generosity of the Father. But they grow angry and seek to hurl him off of a cliff. Their harsh rejection can serve as a reminder that Jesus knows our pain. When we feel the pain of rejection, we can turn to him and he understands. It is also a call to reach out to others who are rejected or on the outside.