As the winter Olympics approach I find myself following profiles of different athletes in a way that I don’t normally follow most of the time. In fact, normally I could careless about luge or snowboarding or even figure skating but right about this time I start to pay attention to standings. We not only begin to take pride in our Canadian athletes but we start to hear about folks from BC or people with connections to Mount Washington and we get really excited. For example, last winter Olympics I was obsessed with following Comox raised free style skier gold medal winner Cassie Sharpe who learned how to ski in the Bumps and Jumps program on Mount Washington. At the time of writing this sermon she was named as a likely candidate to the 2022 Canadian Team. This year I will be following other BC and Canadian athletes closely, taking pride in these hometown heroes. I think that’s why we tend to watch the Olympics, we get wrapped up in cheering on our hometown heroes. Which is why I find our gospel passage today so challenging. Jesus returned to his hometown- the the place where he was raised- and instead of a hero’s welcome they try to toss him off a cliff! Now, I would never try to toss any of our local people off a cliff, but I bet if someone did, Cassie Sharpe would make the jump and ski perfectly to the bottom. Jesus handles the situation a little differently.
Last week we considered the first half of this Gospel story and had we stopped there it would appear that people were amazed at Jesus’ very first recorded public sermon. That’s how our passage this morning begins, “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.” Those listening to Jesus initially respond favourably to Jesus’ declaration that he is the fulfilment of the words from Isaiah. Last week we were able to interpret how Jesus’ words would have brought hope and celebration to the people. The crowd gladly hears what Jesus has to say particularly that, the promise of God’s care for those who suffer and are oppressed was fulfilled. No one seems to take offence at Jesus’ implication that he is that fulfilment. They seem impressed that the hometown boy has “made it”. But I wonder if this is because while they heard Jesus’ words they didn’t quite understand what they really meant. One commentary gently pointed out that we are a lot like that initial crowd in the synagogue. We regard Jesus as one of our own. We hear Jesus’ words and assume that it is good news not just for others but for us. However, what we are hearing is not necessarily what Jesus is saying. As an abstraction, Jesus’ teaching is fine; but when he begins to illustrate his point and makes it concrete with further words and much action, the good news isn’t what was expected, for the original listeners and even for us.
Some in the crowd clearly know Jesus’ family. They watched Jesus grow up. That little boy who sat at his father’s feet in the carpentry shed is now speaking to their very core stating that he is the fulfilment of prophecies from centuries ago. We all love our hometown heroes but I also wonder if, especially when they achieve such a reputation as Jesus had, if it is hard for those who remember this Jesus as a little boy to think of him as a discerning, healing, life-changing adult. In their minds, is Jesus still that trouble making twelve year old rather than a fulfilling thirty year old. Then again maybe it’s just that issues arise as Jesus brings his fulfilment to the fore. Jesus’ initial words soothe the people which creates amazement but then Jesus is unable to leave it at that- he goes on to illustrate his point and it is these words that get him into a bit of trouble.
Before we get to the cliff-hanger of this story. Perhaps it is challenging for us to understand how Jesus’ words about Elijah and Elisha could elicit such rage in the people. But the thing is, of all the stories Jesus could have picked to talk about Elijah and Elisha, Jesus picks two examples in which the prophets minister to people who were not part of the people of Israel. Not only does Jesus reference stories about widows and lepers- people who are already on the fringes of society but about Phoenicians and Syrians- not Israelites. Jesus’ whole ministry will be for the least of these but also for everyone. And by tying himself to the actions of Elijah and Elisha, Jesus is pointing out that like them he will take God into places where God was not thought to be or had no business being. Jesus implies that his ministry is not for those within the hometown but for those beyond it’s borders. We know, and are the beneficiaries of the reality that Jesus came for all not just one people. Basically Jesus is saying, I will not serve the special interests of my hometown but rather be a messenger of good news for all, particularly the most vulnerable. This is how and why the people switch on a dime from amazement to anger. They think they will get special treatment because Jesus is their hometown hero and Jesus makes it clear that they will not. As Christians, who regard Jesus as one of our own, do we think we are entitled to special treatment?
When Jesus’ message proves to be different from what the crowd expects, the crowd tries to rid themselves of this irritating disappointment permanently- perhaps foreshadowing how Jesus’ words of good news will irritate many who are in power or in places of privilege. People who expect special treatment. But what is great about this story is that it doesn’t end there. The crowd seeks to hurl Jesus off a cliff but Jesus passes through the midst of them and goes on his way.
That sentence is key for me in understanding who Jesus is and what Jesus does. Jesus passes through our midst all the time and most of the time we do not see him- in part because we do not want to get uncomfortable with what Jesus is pointing out to us. Jesus often speaks truths we would rather ignore or re-interpret to suit our own ideas, needs, and desires. The truth is that Jesus sometimes tells us or shows us things that make us uncomfortable-tells us truths we are trying to deny- tells us things that do not align with our own ideas of who Jesus should be. When Jesus did not fit popular expectations- instead he defied them- the people turned away and actively turned against Jesus. I mean nothing stands more in the face of all encompassing love than a crucified man on a cross. And yet, Jesus still had the last word. This story foreshadows the resurrection and the truth that God will have the final word. That Jesus will walk in our midst again.
Two lines from two different commentaries have stuck with me, the first was, “Our power cannot thwart the love of God, expressed in Jesus, now raised in power and working in our world.” Meaning that no matter how wrong we get it, God’s love will still always have the last word, will always win, will always be in our midst. The other comes from Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis who says, “Jesus pushes through our walls of resistance, our facades of forbearance, and our determined denial toward that which will truly bring us peace, comfort and hope.” Again, pointing to the fact that we don’t always get it right but Jesus will always push through, will always be in our midst.
How often is Jesus in our midst but we just don’t see him? Jesus walks among us- but not so that we can get special treatment, not because we deserve to hear this good news, but Jesus walks in our midst among those who are suffering- showing us how to be good news. May we remember that our power cannot thwart the love of God, expressed in Jesus and that Jesus pushes through every possible wall we put up. May we notice Jesus in our midst. Amen