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First Hometown Sermon: Admired
Luke 4:14-21

Picture
     Eighteen years have passed since Jesus was in Jerusalem with his parents celebrating Passover.  He’d been 12 then, a boy on the verge of becoming a man.  When the time came for his parents and others to head home, Jesus stayed at the temple.  He spent four incredible days with the most learned teachers in Israel.  He was included in the day-long debates regarding the meaning and application of the Hebrew Scriptures.  When his anxious parents found Jesus, he calmly said he was doing His Father’s work.  From then until age 30, we’re only told that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.  
    Today we’ll explore what Jesus likely did during that 18-year period that isn’t recorded in Scripture - but is essential for us to understand.  Thanks to biblical scholars and historians, we have a great deal of knowledge and insight into everyday life for Hebrews living in first century Palestine.  It has rightly been described as the very best and very worst of times.  Israel was occupied by the Romans; the people had little freedom and many daily burdens. The taxes demanded by Rome were oppressive; rarely was leniency shown.  Soldiers patrolled the streets - anyone who caused trouble was punished, often in cruel ways.   There were many pagan temples where Romans indulged themselves in more than worship. 
       As the Hebrews endured many forms of hardship under Roman rule, there arose a remarkable spiritual hunger.  Each Sabbath in local synagogues there was singing and prayer, the reading of sacred Scripture, and commentary on its meaning.   But there emerged a sudden, fresh interest in understanding God’s word at a deeper level.  Before long, people were eagerly studying every day.  This wasn’t restricted to a formal setting or the Sabbath day; neighbors might gather in the shade of a tree, or down at the market.  Women also studied, once their chores were done.  It is said that every evening the sound of Torah learning was heard coming from peoples’ homes. 
    Torah in Hebrew means teaching or instruction; it refers to the first five books of the Law given to Moses.  Some call this the Pentateuch.  In Christian Bibles the word Torah has been translated as “law”; that is a legalistic word and doesn’t do justice to the original, positive meaning of the word. 
    In Jesus’ day there was a particularly strong interest in studying not just the Torah or the Writings, but the prophesies, particularly the ones that foretold a coming Messiah.  It became the constant prayer in every home, and at every gathering, that God might send their promised Deliverer to rescue them.  Years of Roman rule had brought the Hebrews to their breaking point.  As a nation they cried out to God, asking for their Redeemer to come now, today.
      During that same time of yearning, it was common for traveling teachers to visit nearby towns and speak at synagogues.  For the most part these weren’t rich men, or those from the priestly class - they were ordinary folks from all walks of life. There were woodcutters, farmers, tanners, potters, and carpenters; many worked seasonally, allowing them time to travel.  They explained and interpreted the Scriptures but were never paid.  Sometimes they’d have a few followers.  The common practice was for the locals to show them hospitality by feeding them and giving them a place to stay.
      That’s what life was like in first century Palestine: Roman soldiers occupied the land.  Oppressive conditions weighed down the Hebrews, but there was a strong and rising faith among them.  They pored over God’s word daily and eagerly welcomed visits from traveling teachers.  Their communal longing was for God to send their Redeemer.  They needed a Savior to set them free.
       Jesus at age 30 walked the land as a traveling teacher, speaking in synagogues or out in the open.  The Bible says, “Everyone praised him.”  He was likely trained as a carpenter, but he wasn’t wealthy or distinguished in any other way. Word spread quickly “through the whole countryside” that Jesus’ messages were compelling and he had the power to heal people.  He didn’t have any disciples yet but it’s likely that some people had begun to call him rabbi, which means “My Master” or “teacher”.  Like other rabbis of the day, he not only interpreted Scriptures for his listeners, but also told parables and engaged in debates.    
       We are told that, “Led by the power of the Spirit, Jesus went to his hometown of Nazareth” and attended synagogue one Sabbath.  There were no pastors in charge of leading worship back then, as we have today. There was an elected president from among the laity who invited people to read and interpret the Scriptures.  On the day Jesus showed up, he was invited to come forward.  He was given that honor for two reasons.  He was judged to be wise and respected, an able teacher.  But he also had to have been an observant Jew, who faithfully followed the teachings of Scripture.  Otherwise, he would have been barred from even attending a synagogue service!    
      We don’t know how long Jesus had been away and on the road.  I wonder what it was like for Jesus to look out at familiar faces.  Were his childhood friends now grown, with families of their own by their sides?  Had others aged noticeably?  What new faces were in the crowd?   An assistant would have come forward and placed a bulky scroll on a lectern before Jesus; it would have come from the Laws of Moses, the Prophets, or the Psalms.  That evening it was the prophet Isaiah’s writings.  Jesus carefully scrolled to the last section of Isaiah, and with a clear voice he said, “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,” (known as Jubilee).  Jesus then sat down on a low chair, as was customary when it was time to teach or interpret Scriptures.  Everyone’s eyes were fixed on him, waiting for the usual, fairly-standard explanation of this well-known passage.  
      But Jesus did the unexpected.  It would be the first of many unexpected things he’d say and do.  He said “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”  Was the silence deafening - did everyone stop moving, right down to the youngest child?   Had they heard him right?  Did he say that today, right now, this ancient prophesy from Isaiah has come true - it’s been fulfilled?  
     This would have been an epiphany, an unexpected revelation.   A surprising illumination.  I heard someone once say that Jesus’ words from that day remain “fresh and provocative” for us: it’s as if Jesus is telling all of us that on that specific day, the ancient, prophetic message from Isaiah have become true.  What were once words on a scroll have become embodied flesh.  The fervent prayers of the nation of Israel have been answered.  The Messiah has arrived!  
      Consider this carefully, Church, because words now found in ink in our Bibles will become embodied: what has been promised will become reality.  Perhaps in our lifetime.  Perhaps today.  
       This morning we’ve learned a bit about what it was like for first-century Jews, especially as regards their study and love of Scriptures.  This has helped us better appreciate Jesus as rabbi, a Master teacher.   As Christians far removed from this historic first-century Jewish setting, I think we’ve seen Jesus Christ through a lens that’s often far too narrow.   Haven’t we focused most on Jesus’ mission on the cross, to save us from our sins?   While that is undeniably important, today’s Scripture (and next week’s) will help us better understand Jesus’ mission on earth as a rabbi and why that matters in our lives as disciples today.  
         Here’s my last nugget, something to wrangle with between now and next Sunday.  Here in the U.S., we have what is called a Western view of discipleship.  We tell people about our beliefs and hope they will repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior - from there on comes education.  The teachings printed in the Bible and the basic doctrines of Christianity become our main text and focus.  As disciples we are to read, learn, and inwardly digest the teachings of God, and then apply them. Does all of that sound like a pretty accurate description of Christianity? 
       An Eastern view of Christian discipleship also emphasizes the forgiveness of sin and salvation through Jesus Christ, but that’s where the similarities stop.  Learning how to follow God doesn’t focus primarily on Christian “education”.   Rather than study texts, you study the life and example of those who love and obey God.   This is the model Jesus used: he called his disciples and became their 24- hour-a-day role model.   He was their rabbi, teacher, the one they would imitate.   Being a living example to others in the world is an Eastern way of discipleship, and it was Jesus’ way as well.   That is what I leave us to ponder.   Is it God’s goal to fill the world with people who study and believe right things, or does God want transformed people going out into the world?  Which of the two would shine with the brilliance of Christ? Which would be fresh and provocative? What sort of disciples are we?       

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