July 5, 2018
“Mark 6:1-6”
In C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan, the Lion King of Narnia, represents a Christ figure. Lucy, conversing with Mr. Beaver, is curious about Aslan. She has never seen him, but has heard that he is "on the move," and anticipates meeting him. "Is he safe?" she asks. "Who said anything about being safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Course he's not safe, but he's good. He's the King I tell you."
Jesus is "on the move." And his hometown folks can't wait to see him. They are excited, to see if everything they have heard about him is actually true. They also have expectations: that he will be powerful, yet safe and friendly to the locals.
His hometown folks are, I would suspect, willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as long as he doesn't say anything unexpected or challenging. They would not be inclined to doubt the source of his teachings if he had not made them feel uncomfortable. Their response to whatever it was he said reflects a combination of belief and skepticism. They seem to believe that what he said was of divine origin, yet they are unable to believe that such a great gift would be given to someone they know to be as common as they are.
And so they get stuck in their own little, common, unchanging world. When people are focused on themselves, on maintaining control over their surroundings, they are not open to the truth God seeks to speak to them, sometimes through people they know and in places they thought they knew like the back of their hand.
It’s really too bad that prophets are never honored in their hometown … the old town could really use some new energy.
Blessings,
Pastor Mike
“Mark 6:1-6”
In C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan, the Lion King of Narnia, represents a Christ figure. Lucy, conversing with Mr. Beaver, is curious about Aslan. She has never seen him, but has heard that he is "on the move," and anticipates meeting him. "Is he safe?" she asks. "Who said anything about being safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Course he's not safe, but he's good. He's the King I tell you."
Jesus is "on the move." And his hometown folks can't wait to see him. They are excited, to see if everything they have heard about him is actually true. They also have expectations: that he will be powerful, yet safe and friendly to the locals.
His hometown folks are, I would suspect, willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as long as he doesn't say anything unexpected or challenging. They would not be inclined to doubt the source of his teachings if he had not made them feel uncomfortable. Their response to whatever it was he said reflects a combination of belief and skepticism. They seem to believe that what he said was of divine origin, yet they are unable to believe that such a great gift would be given to someone they know to be as common as they are.
And so they get stuck in their own little, common, unchanging world. When people are focused on themselves, on maintaining control over their surroundings, they are not open to the truth God seeks to speak to them, sometimes through people they know and in places they thought they knew like the back of their hand.
It’s really too bad that prophets are never honored in their hometown … the old town could really use some new energy.
Blessings,
Pastor Mike