Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Luke 4:21-30
Pastor Jean M. Hansen
Jesus is in the synagogue of his hometown; this is Part 2 of good news is bad news is good news. In case you’re wondering what in the world I’m talking about, today’s Gospel reading is a continuation of last week’s reading. So, if you were not here, I’ll offer a quick update.
The account began with Jesus, who recently began his public ministry with preaching and healing in Galilee, returning home to Nazareth. People were excited to see him that Sabbath in the synagogue, and all eyes were fixed on him as he read from the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah proclaiming, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
When he sat down, a signal that he was about to speak, people held their collective breath. He uttered a single sentence, which begins today’s Gospel reading, “Today the scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Last week I noted that many scholars call this Jesus’ inaugural address or sermon. In it he laid out his plan for ministry and set the tone for what he would do, which was to be on the side of the least, the last, the lonely, the rejected, the oppressed and the excluded. No doubt there was a lot of surprised murmuring and questions as the people of Nazareth digested what Jesus had said. Today we read what happened next.
Initially, all spoke well of him and were amazed at his gracious words, the text notes, but then, the question was raised, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” There are a number of ways that question could be interpreted. It might have been positive, indicating pride in the hometown boy. There could have been a few who identified Jesus as the Messiah, so the question was asked with a tone of awe. But there is also the possibility that the question indicated jealousy or criticism, as if they were saying, “Just who does he think he is? If Isaiah’s words are fulfilled in him, what is he doing back here in Nazareth? Shouldn’t he have moved on to bigger and better places and things?”
Evidently, Jesus took the comment as criticism. He, after all, knew the people and could see their expressions, and his assertive side became more than a little obvious. He quoted a proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!”, and indicated that it described what they wanted, which was that he would bring relief to them, his own people. It was the old “charity begins at home” attitude. In other words, do not let someplace like Capernaum get all of benefits from their famous son. (By the way, Capernaum was only about 40 miles north of Nazareth. So, how could the Nazarenes feel that way? Well, how would the people of Akron feel if the Lebron James Foundations only funded projects in Cleveland?)
Jesus’ response was strong, although not being first century Jews, we might not grasp just how strong it was. He basically said, “Capernaum! HA! If you think my helping people there is unfair, just remember how God showed grace to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon during the time of famine when there were many widows in Israel who needed help. And, what about Naaman the Syrian, remember him? He was cleansed of leprosy when many lepers in Israel were suffering.”
It’s interesting to note that in both cases the phrase, “none of them,” is used in reference to the Israelites; the prophets Elijah and Elisha helped not one. (It seems that in both situations the Israelites were lacking in faith and living out their faith.) The point is that the Widow and Naaman were not Israelites; Jesus is telling his own people that God’s grace is not just for them. That’s quite a blow to those who came to the synagogue that day thinking that Jesus would bring Good News to them, or about them, and especially/only them.
As commentator Dr. James D. Kegel notes, “Christ came to bring a message that was good news to the Jews, but also good news for Gentiles. The Gospel was for all people, not just inside expected and customary boundaries. Jesus the Messiah came to fulfill the expectations of Israel, but his work was not just for those inside but especially for those who had been kept outside.” (1)
This so enraged the people of Nazareth that they wanted to hurl him off a cliff. But, by some miracle, he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. And, so, in Part 2 of Jesus’ inaugural address the tone is strengthened, Jesus has come for the least, the last, the lonely, the excluded, the rejected and the oppressed.
In today’s Gospel lesson, and in our world today, good news is bad news, even if it ultimately is good news, depending on one’s point of view. The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus’ good news of the expansive nature of God’s grace; for them it was bad news because they were sure that grace was only for them. Yet, ultimately, from God’s point-of-view, it was good news.
In recent days we have been called upon to consider how that good news of expansive grace impacts our interactions with others, including people in the LGBTQ+ community and members of the immigrant community. We know that what for some is good news, is for others, bad news, and vice-versa, just as was true that day in Nazareth. That makes our situation challenging, and potentially divisive.
Our Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, provided a “Statement on Immigration Executive Orders” for us to consider this week. In it she wrote, “The ELCA supports the view that nations have the responsibility to protect their borders and safeguard their communities. However, these policies must cause “neither undue repercussions within immigrant communities nor bias against them.” Just policies include recognition of the humanity of immigrants without status, respect for the dignity of those at the border and refuge for displaced people.” (2)
I had just read that document when I heard in a White House press briefing on the news in which it was being said that it is “criminals” who are being targeted for deportation. But then, the Press Secretary paused and said that simply being undocumented makes one a criminal. If that’s how decisions are being made, that all undocumented people are criminals, then people are not being treated humanely. Instead, such actions contribute to turning people who are often fleeing horrendous situations, and waiting years for asylum hearings, into scapegoats to blame for the challenges our country faces. All of which is not consistent with the message that in Jesus God’s grace is not just for the insiders, but for those who are considered outsiders.
As I noted last week, good news is bad news is good news. The good news is that God’s grace is for all; the bad news is that it’s not just for me and mine, and the good news is that “all” means all, including me. Unfortunately, living out that truth is complicated, and when some people strive to do so, it makes others afraid and angry enough to want to push them off a cliff. Still, we step out in faith, follow Jesus, rely on the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and … watch out for cliffs. AMEN
- “Not Just Inside” by the Rev. Dr. James D. Kegel, Luke 4:21-30, 2007 www.sermonwriter.com
- “Statement on Immigration Executive Orders” by Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, January 28, 2025, www.elca.org