Jesus returned to Nazareth as a changed man with a vastly different vocation. His baptism in the Holy Spirit had ordained him in his earthly ministry (see Mark 1:9–11).
Nazareth hadn’t changed, though. Here was the carpenter. A brother in a big family. His siblings were likely adolescents and young adults, along with all the dramas accompanying that. Hence, Nazareth was content, even obligated, to take offence at him teaching them the ways of God. We are told Jesus ‘was amazed at their lack of faith’ (verse 6).
Yet Jesus was not content to leave it at that. It’s almost as if he asks the question, ‘Who then will trust me?’ For faith – trust – in him saves. Jesus has to keep giving faith a chance by getting his word to the people. And so he sends his disciples out in his authority to proclaim his kingdom. Yet it’s clear that he knows not everyone will believe, given his instruction to ‘shake off the dust of your feet as a testimony against them’ who do not welcome or listen to the disciples.
We can be like both the Nazarenes and the villagers who reject Jesus. Like the Nazarenes, we can treat him like he is still the kid we grew up with. He has little relevance to say to us. Although that’s because we’ve changed, not him. We’ve heard new things from others, had new experiences, conformed to the culture and are all ‘grown up’. Somehow, Jesus just isn’t relevant anymore. Or, like the villagers, we don’t welcome Jesus or listen to him (at least like we once did). You know, like when you once went to church pretty much every Sunday, participated in a home group, set aside your offering, or [insert discipleship thing(s) you no longer do here].
But it’s far from a lost cause. Jesus has to keep giving faith a chance by getting his word to the people. ‘Repent!’ is the chief message the disciples were to take out. Notice how they are the undeniable trusters in this account in the way they take him at his word and still go out, even though his hometown has rejected him?
Repent is still a keyword for us. Except, now, it can be understood in the full gospel revelation of his life-giving resurrection. Still going to take offence, not welcome him and not listen to him?
Lord Jesus, we aren’t as smart as we think we are. Please save us from taking offence at you. Or not welcoming you or listening to you. Forgive us when we have, and give us hearts to receive your faithful commission, just as the disciples did. In your name. Amen.
More From 'Devotionals'
Waiting for mercy
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 21).
Read Jude 17–25
The news hasn’t got any better today. Not only are nations still hating each other, destroying the planet, and putting money before people, but people are also laughing about God (verse 18).
It’s not easy being a Christian today. There are so many varieties that you have to define yourself, so people know which ‘camp’ you are in! And people are laughing about – and at – God. What hope is there? Well, as yesterday’s verse told us, love, mercy and peace are yours!
And that’s re-iterated at the end of this short letter from Jude. Remain in God’s love; wait for the mercy of Jesus. But perhaps our immediate thought is that of the many psalmists: How long, O Lord? How long do we have to wait? How many tragedies, disasters and wars must occur before your mercy arrives and takes over?
I take great comfort in the fact that Jesus only lived as a human being on earth for 33 years, and his ministry took place in three short years. It would seem to me that there would have been a bit of waiting at that time. Waiting for the opportunity to use his divine power. Waiting for the disciples to get it! Waiting for the Pharisees to become humble. Waiting to be arrested (and sweating blood while praying, in the meantime). Waiting to die!
How are you at waiting? I’m not so good (although hopefully I’ve improved as I’ve aged!). Waiting can be painful. Waiting can be the pits. Waiting can seem useless. How long, O Lord? But waiting reveals mercy. Waiting allows for re-creation. Waiting brings new life. Waiting brings hope. Waiting brings peace. Waiting reveals love in action.
In fact, waiting lets us know that mercy has been present all along. God has been walking with us – waiting with us (or perhaps for us). Jesus did die eventually! And, of course, rose again, so the mercy he had demonstrated during his time on earth could continue to be a sweet salve for each of us for all time.
Thank you, Jesus, for your mercy; thank you, God, for your patience. Amen.
Peter is often out tending his garden – with 83 fruit and nut trees and extensive native bushes, he says there is a lot to do! Other times, he will be walking his dog, reading (too many books at a time), enjoying his family (15 grandchildren!), and occasionally writing – poetry, opinion pieces, devotions! To keep out of mischief, he is currently teaching himself to play the piano and is writing a paraphrase of each psalm. You can read these on his website, Creative Walking www.creativewalking.com.au/psalm-reflections.html
Mercy, peace and love – or judgement
Mercy, peace and love be yours richly (Jude 2).
Read Jude 1–16
If you read this whole Jude passage, it is easy to be horrified at what was happening. Today, it is easy to be horrified at what is occurring in the world. As I write, the horrific happenings in Israel and Gaza are headline news, there’s been another mass shooting in the USA, and civil war continues in Sudan. Closer to home, we have political lie after political lie; we continue to treat fellow human beings seeking asylum monstrously; governments continue to approve coal mines as the West Antarctic Ice reaches melting point; another Indigenous youth has died in captivity; three women have been killed in Australia this week by their partner (making 51 so far this year). If we are not horrified at the world we live in, we are not alive!
But mercy, peace and love still exist! Gifts of safety (verse one) from God through Jesus. Despite the horrors of the society in which we live – and possibly in your own personal world – there is still mercy, peace and love.
Mercy lets us know that no matter our situation, how bad we feel, or how awkward we are with others, the God of steadfast love shows mercy and brings mercy into our lives. Mercy restores and refreshes us. Mercy re-creates who we are. It keeps us safe in Jesus.
Peace is far beyond all human understanding (Philippians 4:7). Peace – shalom in Hebrew – encompasses wholeness, courage, a life worth living, generosity, confidence, community – and much more. Peace from the Prince of Peace. It settles any anxiety and doubt and helps us move on in life.
Love is the greatest of all (1 Corinthians 13). Love binds us together; love looks beyond mistakes and offence; love so freely given to us; love available to share with no limits. It allows us to act in positive ways we did not even know we had in us. Love conquers all.
It’s okay to be horrified by the things happening in the world. It’s easy – and sometimes we are too quick – to pass judgement. Remember, mercy, peace and love are yours – to encourage and strengthen you and remind you of the Creator’s love; they are also yours to share – with anyone and everyone.
I think I would rather share mercy, peace and love than judgement.
Lord God, we can become overwhelmed by many things; keep us safe; help us to live in your mercy, peace and love – and share them widely. Amen.
Peter is often out tending his garden – with 83 fruit and nut trees and extensive native bushes, he says there is a lot to do! Other times, he will be walking his dog, reading (too many books at a time), enjoying his family (15 grandchildren!), and occasionally writing – poetry, opinion pieces, devotions! To keep out of mischief, he is currently teaching himself to play the piano and is writing a paraphrase of each psalm. You can read these on his website, Creative Walking www.creativewalking.com.au/psalm-reflections.html
Living In Truth
My dear friend, it is good that you help the brothers and sisters, even those you do not know (3 John 5).
Read 3 John 1–14
Who are our brothers and sisters? In the context of 3 John, they are our fellow followers of Jesus. And so, it is good that we help congregations, working groups, the wider church, overseas missions, and so on. Some of these people we will know well. Others we will not know. We may have only heard of their work. But living in truth, with life in Jesus, we support them anyway.
But is there not a wider context? If there is any truth in the prayer we prayed yesterday, ‘Christ in mouth of friend or stranger’, then surely God is at work wherever the Holy Spirit moves. There are numerous incidents in the Bible where God chooses to use people who do not recognise, acknowledge or understand God’s power and presence (for example, Cyrus in 2 Chronicles 36, the woman at the well in John 4, or even some of the disciples!).
God does indeed work in mysterious ways, with wonders to perform. How often do we miss out on witnessing those wonders when we limit God to our little worlds or put God in a box of our own making?
So, it is good to support our sisters and brothers – all who are doing God’s work, whether they recognise it or not and whether we recognise it or not. God is not limited to the LCANZ or the wider church. The wind blows where it wills – a description to describe the work of the Holy Spirit. So, in good faith, let’s allow the love of Jesus to flow through us and support those who are putting mercy into action, seeking justice where there is injustice, empowering the marginalised, and perhaps living in truth, without even realising it!
Lord God, through your Holy Spirit, you work where you will. Help us acknowledge this and look for opportunities to support your work in all sorts of places. Amen.
Peter is often out tending his garden – with 83 fruit and nut trees and extensive native bushes, he says there is a lot to do! Other times, he will be walking his dog, reading (too many books at a time), enjoying his family (15 grandchildren!), and occasionally writing – poetry, opinion pieces, devotions! To keep out of mischief, he is currently teaching himself to play the piano and is writing a paraphrase of each psalm. You can read these on his website, Creative Walking www.creativewalking.com.au/psalm-reflections.html