Scripture: Mark 6:1–6
Mark 6.16
1 Jesus left that place and came to his hometown. His disciples followed him. 2 On the Sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were surprised. “Where did this man get all this? What’s this wisdom he’s been given? What about the powerful acts accomplished through him? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t he Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They were repulsed by him and fell into sin.
4 Jesus said to them, “Prophets are honored everywhere except in their own hometowns, among their relatives, and in their own households.” 5 He was unable to do any miracles there, except that he placed his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 He was appalled by their disbelief.
homecoming…
nervous or excited?
rejected or accepted?
homecoming…
feet once little, now big
limbs once awkward, now steady
voice once cracking, now strong
homecoming…
where everyone knows your most embarrassing moments
and few let you forget them
where everyone remembers how cute you were
and few accept you as an adult
where everyone is sure they know who you are
and few discover who you have become
homecoming…
back to where he first heard the stories of the faith
back to where he learned rituals and prayers
back to where he went each sabbath to gather, listen, discuss, and pray
homecoming…
a mother’s smile and embrace
a home cooked meal and family time
an opportunity to rest from the crowds and fanfare
a chance to come back to your roots
a place to feel like you belong
but quickly, any belonging is rejected
change and growth are not allowed beyond the status quo
old gossip resurfaces
new suspicions arise
Who does he think he is?
How can he speak with such wisdom and authority?
Where is this insight coming from?
He’s just Mary’s son, a Nazareth boy
trying to be more than he ever should be
And what about this power,
the stories of miracles and healings
How can that be?
It’s impossible!
He’s just Mary’s son, a Nazareth boy
trying to be more than he ever should be
unable to realize the gift in front of them,
unable to see beyond the boy they thought they knew,
unable to accept God at work,
they repeat the refrain
He’s just Mary’s son, a Nazareth boy
trying to be more than he ever should be
tripping over preconceived notions
tripping over discomfort from witnessing change
tripping over fear of something new that might be happening
they fall on their faces, scrape their noses
and miss the miracle in front of them
God has been with them all along…
God has been with them all along!
the suspicious timing of his birth was the Holy Spirit at work
the baby’s cry was the lament of God
the toddler’s laughter was divine joy embodied
the child’s kindness was God at work
the teen’s grace was beyond what anyone had experienced
the young man’s creative carpentry hearkened to the beginning
the wisdom beyond his years, clearly from God, was always there
God has been with them all along!
But
stumbling over what they were sure they knew
stumbling over their gossiping inclinations
stumbling over their limited views of the divine
they fell flat on their faces, scraped their noses,
and missed the miracle in front of them
God’s words in a voice they have known for years
God’s love dwelling among them
God’s grace overflowing upon them
God’s wisdom accessible like never before
they missed the miracle in front of them
with their faces in the dirt
and no inclinations to change their mind or open their hearts and get up
Jesus—didn’t waste breath on a lengthy sermon with no open audience
Jesus—didn’t use creativity to tell parable that would fall flat
Jesus—didn’t yell to try and get their attention
Jesus—didn’t use fear to manipulate them to his side
Jesus moved on, aware of the hopeless moment,
simply stating his hometown’s rejection
and he was unable to do any miracles there
Except.
Except the miracles he did do…
healing a few people were sick,
people who perhaps remembered the special little boy
that had become an exceptional man
people who ignored the majority’s voices of rejection
and listened intently to the voice of God
people who had faith that God was at work
people who came to Jesus, hoping for a miracle
people who knew that Jesus was more than Mary’s son, a boy from Nazareth
people who let him be all that he could be.
Jesus was unable to do any miracles there
except
except the miracles he did do
except the lives he did change forever
except the few that accepted him
So Jesus left appalled at his hometown’s unbelief.
frustrated.
frustration reigns today.
How dare they? Who do they think they are?
How dare she be so successful?
How could she make that much money?
How dare they have so much influence?
How could he have such a following?
How dare they win?
How could they lose?
How dare people come looking for refuge?
How could people send off those in need?
How dare there be laws offering that much help and mercy?
How could there be laws governed by hate and fear?
How dare people try and change the status quo?
How could people be so ignorant, so knowledgeable, so accepting, so clueless?
How dare people make us feel uncomfortable by simply living their lives?
How could people be so threatened by others simply trying to live?
How dare people believe in God?
How could people leave the faith?
How dare things change?
How could they remain the same?
frustration reigns.
fear and anxiety are trying to take hold.
grace, hope, and love seem to be gone, not to mention faith.
and they were unable to do anything to make a difference
except.
except where they could make a difference
except the people they could help,
not large societal change;
no flashy video going viral;
no new deals through congress
they were unable to do anything to make a difference
except
except all the little moments they did make a difference
giving food to someone who can’t afford it this month
coming to church
talking a walk
smiling at instead of looking away from the person holding the cardboard sign
being a part of a community
breathing deeply
going to city meetings to stand up for the marginalized and those in need
singing in the choir
caring for a loved one
giving up some of your power and privilege for someone else
challenging your preconceived notions
planting a pollinator garden
feeding the unhoused
doing your daily work the best that you can
choosing love over fear
collecting rainwater
composting
recycling and hazardous waste pick up
staying up to date on issues without drowning in them
cooking for or serving at LINK
leading a hike
volunteering at a place you care about
caring for yourself because if you aren’t in good shape you can’t do much for anyone else
donating to that go fund me
learning about something new
giving a caregiver a break for a few hours
crocheting hats for those who are cold
learning a new skill
attending that meeting
practicing grace and love each day.
little miracles are all around us.
They were unable to make a difference
except
they actually were
maybe not how they wished in big, grand ways
but a difference they did make.
we make a difference.
Be like Jesus.
do what you can,
move on from what you can’t,
feel frustrated
but know that God still is at work.
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