All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard Jesus say this.  Luke 4:28   

 

The early synagogue helped Jews maintain their identity while living in a foreign, pagan country.  During their captivity, the Jewish people began to gather to study the Torah and worship God.  The synagogue building grew out of this practice, and it became the center of Jewish social life, serving as school, meeting place, courtroom, and house of prayer.

 

Synagogues continued to be important during the first century. By the time Jesus' ministry began, a synagogue was found in most Galilean towns.  Synagogue practices provided a ready platform for Jesus' teachings, and later the apostle Paul. However, the synagogue for Jesus and his Disciples was often a hostile place for them – because of their calling the people to focus on God and doing his work – and not on the brick and mortar.

 

The same challenge comes to us today.  Does the place where we gather as the people of God take precedence over doing the will of God?  Only you can answer this one.