Monday, January 25, 2016

1/31/16---Hometown Hero

Luke 4: 21-30

Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.” ’ And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. (NRSV)

All is going well for Jesus. He has come home, been invited to speak in his childhood synagogue, and now all are speaking ‘well of him’. People are amazed by his words and are proud that this hometown hero has returned to them to share.

Luke recounts this story as though Jesus really should have quit while he was ahead. There is initially no indication that anyone is upset or offended. They are simply thrilled to have some connection with this hometown hero, the one set to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy.

But then Jesus opens his mouth again. There is no need to. He is not responding to anyone’s question or inquiry. There isn't any indication that he is even responding to any trouble with what he has just said or done.

But Jesus seems dissatisfied. So much so that he pushes the whole mood of this welcome rally in a completely different direction: ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!”

Despite the apparent celebration at Jesus’ presence and message, he sees a need to highlight his hometown’s lack of acceptance towards him. They have accepted him so far, but he has more to say... Jesus is not happy with this exuberant response to his reading.

But why? Does Jesus have an inbuilt suspicion towards their acceptance? Does he sense that they are skirting along his real message? Have they deliberately not heard the call to an inclusive mission filled with grace?

Whatever the case, Jesus goes out of his way to highlight their lack of understanding, their shortsightedness. Even in the days of Elijah and Elisha God was at work beyond the borders of Israel.  He offers two examples: ‘Zeraphath in Sidon’ and ‘Naaman the Syrian’!

It is enough to turn their celebration to a riot and their praise into denial. Jesus has spoken plainly and they have understood well.

Maybe. It would seem this crowd has not, as yet, fully understood. They comprehend enough to object – but not enough to follow.

And then the crowd’s attempt to do away with their hometown hero is mysteriously thwarted: ‘…he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.’ (4:30).

It reads so strangely. Perhaps it indicates that Nazareth got it’s miracle after all...He left them and opened his mission up to everyone...

That means to you. Thanks be to God. Amen.


Jack

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