14th Day of Lent
Unwelcoming Scenes in Jesus' Neighborhood
"He came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him." Mark 6:1

Often hometown heroes are welcomed back with celebrity status.  I happened to watch a program about the career of Charles Barkley, a Hall of Fame NBA player.  He recently turned 50.  They showed scenes from the basketball gym he played on in high school.  It's now called "Charles Barkley Arena"  Famous actors, actresses, and politicians often have signs or other displays erected in their honor in their hometown. 

But with prophets, not so much.  They were called to deliver a word that was often unpopular.  Who gives the hometown kid the authority to say the things he or she says?  What town wants to be associated with  words that are so upsetting to so many people.  Arenas are not named after prophets.

Jesus very much came in the role of prophet, among other things.  His teachings about including sinners and his harsh criticism of self-righteousness and legalism upset lots of people.  It ultimately led to the cross.  It's no wonder Jesus was rejected by his hometown.  He just wasn't popular enough, at least among the kinds of people that name stadiums or hold positions of power and authority.  But then, Jesus didn't come to be popular.  He came to save the lost and usher in God's new kingdom.  It didn't play well in his hometown.  But it changed the world.