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Jesus’ homecoming was not as grand as we might imagine

Jan. 31, 2010
Background Scripture: Mathew 13:54-58; Luke 4:16-30
Devotional Reading: Isaiah 53:1-9

Reading our scripture passages for this week, Matthew 13:54-58 and Luke 4:16-30, and contemplating Jesus’ homecoming to his native Nazareth, I remembered a homecoming of my own that took place on Sept. 10, 1950, in the Park Evangelical United Brethren Church in Reading, Pa.

I had just started my junior year at the university. Although I was pursuing a course of study in finance and commerce, on Aug. 22 I had signed a “Declaration of Purpose to Enter the Christian Ministry.” Ministerial applicants in the EUB Church were required to secure the recommendation of their local congregation.

The applicant was required to preach a “trial sermon,” following which those present could sign the letter of recommendation from the congregation to the regional association. (Did any congregations ever fail to recommend congregational sons and daughters?)

For Jesus, the incident in Matthew 13 and Luke 4 (as well as in Mark 6) was a very real homecoming. It definitely was decisive moment in life of Jesus and Nazareth. Undoubtedly, the locals had heard rumors that this, the son of a local carpenter, and for a time a carpenter himself, had begun a ministry of preaching and teaching.

And when Jesus arrived in the town, he was accompanied by a band of disciples and followers.

From Nazareth?

Despite a good location in the mountains with a 30-mile view, in Jesus’ day Nazareth apparently was not highly regarded and not even mentioned in the Old Testament. In John 1:46, learning that Jesus was from that town, Nathaniel comments, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Although after this homecoming Jesus may not ever have returned to Nazareth, nevertheless he was popularly known as “Jesus of Nazareth,” identification referred to 18 times in the New Testament.
Still, even the smallest, most nondescript towns can recognize and be recognized for a “local boy makes good.” Both because he was a native Nazarene and because of his reputation, we may assume that he was invited – or at the least, permitted – to attend and teach in the Nazareth synagogue he presumably attended in his youth.

But the experience quickly turned sour. Why?

First. he had earned his reputation in places other than Nazareth. The locals, having not had anything to do with his success, could hardly boast of him (Lk. 4:23). Also, it probably rankled many that who they had known only as a carpenter and undistinguished local now spoke with authority and assurance – Who does he think he is, this nobody from our own village?

If there was any reticence to reject him, it dissolved when he dared to say: “a prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house” (13:57).

Titles or deeds?

Luke gives us another reason for their rejection: He reminded them that in Elijah’s time, he was sent not to an Israelite, but a Sidonite, Zarephath, and the prophet Elisha was sent to heal Naaman, a Syrian, not an Israelite. In his ministry, Jesus lauded the mercy of the Good Samaritan and praised a Roman soldier as a paragon of faith.

In other words, God does not pay attention to the titles we give ourselves or groups of which we are a part. He blesses those who practice loving their neighbor as themselves.

“And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief” (13:58). Mark adds: “… he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them” (Mk. 6:5,).

But Luke records an even more disturbing conclusion: “… they rose up and put him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built that they might throw him down headlong. But passing through the midst of them he went away” (Lk. 4:29,30). Some homecoming.

Someone suggests that many churches might well place a warning on their church doors: “Please note: We don’t expect and Jesus doesn’t do, many mighty works here!”

The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers may write to Rev. Althouse in care of this publication.

1/27/2010