Following in the Wake of Jesus

 

In the gospel of Luke (4:14-30), Jesus returns home to Nazareth after preaching and healing in the countryside. While there, he goes to celebrate the Sabbath at his childhood synagogue. He reads from the prophet Isaiah and preaches one of the shortest sermons of all time, “Today, this has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

There is an excitement in the air. The people were amazed by his words or just happy that he kept it short.  And then everything changes with one question, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” These people who watched him grow up and are still neighbors with his family can’t begin to see past what they ‘know’ about Jesus, to the reality of who Jesus is - God’s son, the fulfillment of God’s promise, the Messiah.

Jesus doesn’t back down, doesn’t cower in the face of their doubts. He begins to tell these old friends that God can and will work with whomever God wants, including foreigners. That God’s good news is for all people.

The townspeople become enraged and push Jesus to the edge of town, literally. They plan on throwing him off the cliff the town is built upon. But Jesus walks through the midst of them and goes on his way.

I love that image. It reminds me of Moses leading Israel through the Red Sea to freedom. The waters part, they give way and the people walk through the midst of them. And Moses leads them to the Promised Land.

Jesus walks through the midst of the people and invites us to follow him on the way.
Jesus’ way does not lead to the safety of home, 
Jesus leaves home behind.
Jesus’ way leads us into the mess of ministry.

 to preach good news to the poor,

 to proclaim release to the prisoners

 and recovery of sight to the blind,

 to liberate the oppressed,

 and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

(Common English Bible)

That’s a mission statement worth getting behind.   Are we getting so comfortable in our church homes that we start pushing back at the Spirit of God instead of following in the wake to where we are being led?