"Truly I tell you,
no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown."
Things were going well in the synagogue that day. Jesus, having just
begun his ministry, had traveled to Nazareth, his hometown. He was reading the scripture
proclaiming the message of Isaiah. He finished, sat down and effectively said,
"It’s come true; here I am." The people were amazed to think that
Joseph’s son could actually be this foretold Messiah. They were still open to the
idea until he began insulting them by reminding them that he was there to care for the
lowly outsiders, just as God had done in the time of Elijah and Elisha.
These people of Nazareth — aunts, uncles, cousins, old-time family
friends — were suddenly horrified. Their boy Jesus, had turned into a heretic,
talking about foreigners as if they were family. God should go to them? God should help
them? Evil ones? Sinners? Foreigners?
What was wrong with Jesus, they asked.
The community of Nazareth decided to kill Jesus that day. They were
going to push him off of a cliff. It’s not clear what happened next. We know that
Jesus disappeared and was not harmed.
And so his ministry began.
Here was no ordinary King! He could perform miracles. He could heal the
sick and raise the dead, but none of this was his primary purpose. He came to proclaim the
"Good News," to let us know that salvation is ours, because he was willing to
make the ultimate sacrifice, to give his life. Not too bad for a carpenter’s son!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, be with us as we go about our daily lives.
Help us to remember to look for opportunities to be of service to one another. Help us to
remember this carpenter’s son who gives Life. Amen.
