I am not at all sure – that we understand the gravity of the text-today.
“We get it” that – prophets are not welcome in their own home towns.
We understand that at first Jesus was loved and respected for his words and then something happened.
Beyond that, I think the text is a little wasted on us.
I think we need to see “the bigger picture.”
I think we need to see here, not only the rejection of his town’s people — but ultimately the rejection of him by a lot of people… the world over.
I think we should already see his fate as being set. Stoning or crucifixion is already looming in the background.
I think we should see here the larger mission to the Gentiles and beyond. His ministry is going to know – no limits.
I think we need to see God as being much more inclusive, than we have been previously taught.
I think our God is too small and we are too parochial in our views.
I do not know why he said it. I do not know why he upset the proverbial apple cart. It was as if, he was compelled to. He could not contain his own words.
I do not believe that he thought or assumed he would be received well – just because he was in – his former hometown. Nor do I think the people there, were different than most.
I do not think we normally think of Jesus as – rubbing people the wrong way. And yet here, he clearly does just that.
This is no therapeutic Jesus who pats little children on their heads. This is not a smiling-happy-go-lucky-Jesus.
Here we should see him as “a bold antagonist” who is making a preemptive strike against the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Priests and the Scribes, the Roman rulers, the Democrats and the Republicans, the Socialists and the Capitalists…the clergy and on any of us – who think we know anything at all about the “Divine.”
I understand that he was “kingdom oriented” and that he was not concerned about “the aspirations” or “the expectations” of his old neighbors.
And I get it that Jesus was speaking the truth, using the pages of the Hebrew Bible. Those stories were well known. But their “lessons” had been lost over time.
We like things watered down. We like things the way we can handle them.
People want to protect what they consider to be their prerogatives.
Jesus was pushing the envelope. He was challenging the status quo. He in fact said there is no such thing as an exclusive relationship with God.
If you listen to the text, he assumed a great deal about his listeners. He even attempted to speak for them and on their behalf. He was treading on dangerous ground.
They thought – that Jesus should save his miracles and teachings for them and for them alone. They did not like what they were hearing about him. He was healing and preaching to people they regarded as human trash, namely the Gentiles and others who were rejected by society.
That “age old” issue of using resources or wasting resources on “outsiders” – is still a current pressing issue today.
Helping other countries, helping out other nations, throwing good money after bad at foreign governments is still a pressing issue.
Feeding people around the world is still an issue. We have plenty of hungry and needy people right here at home.
What about the issues of migration and immigration? To what extent should we open our doors “and to whom?” What about people living here already?
Jesus was pushing a lot of “hot button issues.” Far from conciliating his audience, Jesus was antagonizing them. This is no meek and mild Jesus. This is the teacher-teaching.
I think this was a real “eye opener” for the twelve…who saw firsthand that Jesus could play hardball. He was a man of bold courage who did not mince words or worry himself about offending his audience. (This is not –even close to our “normal view of Jesus!)”
Certainly he did not believe he was going to change the minds of these people! But he was giving them food for thought. He was challenging them and their perceptions.
I guess it is hard for us as individuals – to think that “our thinking” might be “messed up.” …And that God sees things entirely different than we do.
We also like to think – that we are in the right – and that “others” are simply wrong.
Jesus came to tell us otherwise.