Begin from Home

Let’s start with the basics: Jesus, where do you think you get your stuff? You grew up like the rest of us. There was nothing special about your family. Well, there was talk of the legitimacy of your birth and who your real father was, but so what. We’ve all got that kind of thing in our family tree. And yeah, you acted like a precocious brat that time you hid out at the Temple. But get real; you’re now around thirty years old, and you go ‘round talking like you’re some authority on God. What makes you so special?

Granted, Jesus did not have a truck-load of degrees to his name or any professional certifications or positions. He came from a relatively small town, and his parents were not people of generational wealth. He had nothing to lean on but that which was in him. Some call it “authority,” this quality which makes you feel this guy knows what he’s talking about. It was noticeable.

Even so, the record gives a good indication of what Jesus carried in himself. Apparently, it became really evident when his cousin baptized him, and he heard this voice declare him as “beloved Son.”  That sent him into the wilderness to do some soul searching. There Jesus met his true antagonist and in that battle realized the power which had been conferred on him.

The Story Begins

His first preaching tour was in the synagogues of Galilee where his teaching was favorably received. With that trial run under his belt, he headed home. Some say we go there because home is where your story begins. Makes sense for Jesus.

You know what that’s like. No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, people have expectations, have already decided who you are, what you are about. On the one hand, there’s those who want to see you succeed so you’ll make them look good. Still lurking around are those who’d love to see you take a fall. Smile sweetly on your way in but watch your step.

Sabbath evening arrived, and Jesus goes like every good Jew to the synagogue. Understand though this is not just a place for weekly worship. Additionally, it operated as a school as well as a community center. If something was going to be done or decided in town, this is where it happened. And everybody would be there to see it.

The agenda of the evening had been practiced for centuries. The Shema was recited, “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is the only God.” Prayers were said and the ancient writings of the law and the prophets were read. On this day, Jesus was honored to read from the prophet Isaiah. Careful now. His selection had plan and purpose. So to answer your question, Jesus reads, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…”

It was a familiar passage to the audience. It held promise that what had been, what was now, would not be forever. They would have latched on to phrases like “Good News” and “time of the Lord’s favor.” Like a lot of other congregations, upbeat, positive messages get good feedback.

When he handed the scroll back to the attendant, Jesus sat down. All eyes were on him, waiting for his remarks. The custom was for the reader to interpret from a seated position.

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Sorry, but it was here that Jesus went off script, edged toward the radical, slipped too close to the blasphemous.

Sit with Him on This

Too many times people only want to hear what they’ve heard before. Messages about God are fine as long as they stay safe, familiar, whatever has been taught to children mostly. So stories of Good Shepherds should only remind the hearers of cotton-balled crafts. Never mind that Noah’s ark would have stunk to the high heavens. Easter is best known for plastic eggs with candy, not what follows a bloody cross. Keep your talk in prescribed boundaries, tell an interesting story or joke, promise people God loves them (without expectations of change.) Say a pleasant prayer for those who need help, shake hands, and you’re good to go.

In a way, this message was Jesus’ inaugural address. It outlined his plan and purpose, revealed what that voice which called him Beloved meant and why his antagonist wanted him to fail at the outset. Having wrestled through all that, he had come back to that place which had raised him. Here, at home, he would start to be what God wanted for them.

The Trouble with Jesus was he stretched meaning into an explosive reversal from what people want to believe. What gave him this authority? The Spirit of the Lord, as he’d read, had appointed/anointed him to preach this Good News. But he couldn’t stop just with that. Good News but not for those welcomed into the sanctified and cleansed confines of the synagogue. No, this Good News is for the poor.

Then, he really crosses the line by getting specific. Who are the poor? Sure, the needy and those who suffer due to low economic status. However, Jesus paints the ugly picture: those who are captive (the jailed criminals?), the blind (those stinking beggars on the side of the road?), the downtrodden (like actual slaves?)

Wait a minute, you’re talking about the most marginalized, maybe repulsive creatures society can find. It’s not our fault they got in these situations. Jesus, where’s our Good News!

Please Adjust Yourself

Can we just call out such comments for what they are? Baloney! Otherwise known as balderdash, twaddle, claptrap, hog wash or whatever else you know as bull. Here’s your Good News: recognize that as a person in this society who has an ounce of wherewithal, you have the opportunity to partner with God in making change for these who live on the bottom side of life. For you, the Good News is challenge to do whatever is in your power to feed hungry, visit those the lonely, heal by your gifts and presence the pain of others.

Because face it, Jesus didn’t bring this Good News just to stamp your ticket to a better celestial hereafter. If any of this is going to happen, it’s dependent on how lifestyles are adjusted and relinquished to tear down structures and systems that imprison, lie about, and hold down the powerless so they stay that way.

What’s more, Jesus said, it’s going to start Today. Today as in right when he said it and Today as in Now. God is moving, and God means for this just as it’s being said (or read). Take notice of one more thing: it begins at home.

The passage Jesus read concluded with, “the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” Today. Now. God’s favor, love, mercy and grace is ready to be made known and poured out for the poor and for those who serve them.

It’s time.

 Luke 4:14-21