Connecting Point: No Hometown Hero

How many of us have welcomed a hometown hero back from a duty post or deployment? Maybe you’ve joined others honoring law enforcement or emergency services personnel for a special occasion. Since I’m the proud son of a Vietnam Veteran and know some of the sad history of our nation in which many men and women were rejected as they returned home back in the late 1960s and 1970s, I tend to have some compassion for anyone who serves the public. In my opinion, negative sentiments toward those who lay their lives on the line or give through volunteerism are misguided. Honoring others is the hallmark of people with good intentions.

If you know anything about Jesus Christ, you know there’s always been some controversy. However, much of the said controversy is frivolous. Jesus lived a modest life, and his character was impeccable, after all, we aren’t talking about a hardened criminal or a simple thief. As Jesus began his public ministry at age 33 crowds began to be drawn to him for his teachings and in time for the miraculous healings which he performed. One would think he would be welcomed home as a hero, but that wasn’t the case at all. Luke gives us all the details:

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day, He went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’ All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. ‘Isn’t this Joseph’s son?’ they asked,” (Luke 4:14-22).

Jesus was certainly welcomed home by his relatives and friends, they were beginning to understand his greater purposes. However, the drama builds as he was teaching in the synagogue. Reading from Isaiah wasn’t unheard of, the audience was filled with both men and women who were familiar with many Old Testament texts. Most of the listeners stomached Jesus’s claim as the Messiah but his message to follow was not received well at all! Jewish hardliners expected the Messiah to conquer the Romans, but that wasn’t part of Christ’s agenda. Furthermore, what sent the onlookers into a frenzy was Jesus pointing out two historical accountants of God’s favor extending outside the Jewish people to

Canaanites and Syrians, meaning they were rejecting God and God favored “dogs” (those enemies outside the Jewish community). Jesus was calling out any Jew for their hypocrisy and hatred for other nationalities by putting them on notice that God’s favor would now be offered to anyone not just a select few. Now you see why Jesus wasn’t welcomed home.