My boys had a little disagreement this morning and after they hugged it out my son came running to me. He crawled up into my lap, turned his head to the side and looked up at me expectantly. I was supposed to make things better. I was supposed to support him in his hour of need after a grave injustice had been done to him. His Dad has said ‘No’ and that traumatized him. I gave him the cuddle he wanted, told him he had to listen to his Dad and when he realized he couldn’t get the ‘Yes’ he wanted, he went off on his merry way. He’s been doing this a lot lately. Pushing boundaries and then running back again. He wants to explore yet stay close. He’s feeling the tug between independence and security. He is growing up and sometimes that’s hard. At times it’s hard for me too. I want to foster an adventurous spirit and encourage him to explore the world but he is my baby and it’s hard to let go. I make the choice daily to encourage him. I remind myself that change is necessary and an important part of growing. I cherish these days and enjoy them as they are going so quickly. I’m making a choice to see him for who he is each day even when I want things to stay the same.
Watching my son this morning after reading today’s passage from the Lent Project changed my perspective on things a little bit. When we read this passage we need to remember that the people in the synagogue are the same people who watched Jesus grow up. He was a child in their presence. These are the people who would’ve seen him with friends and perhaps he played with their own children. These are the people who would’ve heard him shriek with glee when winning a game. They would’ve dried his tears when he scraped his knees. They loved him, supported him and were deeply invested in the life of this community so they would’ve been proud to see him take this leadership role in the community.
That said, they might’ve been surprised to see him doing so well and it’s hard to know {as I wasn’t there} if their comment with regards to him being Joseph’s son is a slight because he’s the son of a carpenter or if it’s because he’s come so far and they’re so proud. After speaking, Jesus does what many people in a family do when things are going rather well at a family gathering, he picks a fight. Instead of overlooking the sneaky dig he goes right for the jugular. And are we surprised? Not in the slightest. Jesus has never been one to hide, he confronts and forces people to see things for how they really are. How they are unwilling to change and accept that which is new.
It turns out that Jesus was right, the people of Nazareth aren’t very accepting and their response to his statements is attempting to him off a cliff. This is not a loving act, it’s a huge overreaction. In and of itself this demonstrates how little the people are willing to see. They are stuck in the past, as parental figures and leaders they’ve become offended when he speaks wisdom in their presence and don’t wish to hear it from him. What he says hits too close to home. They can see that he has surpassed them and that I’m sure it scared them. It’s hard to let go, to see that people have grown beyond us and can now teach us a thing or too. The people of Nazareth weren’t ready to see. They didn’t possess the faith needed to walk with Jesus and that’s sad.
This is a problem we all encounter at some point or another. Sometimes I see it at home as my son grows, other times I see it at Church when people can’t let go of the past and see where they stand in the present. Moment pass and we miss important opportunities because we do not see, we have not opened our eyes to the things around us and will not accept that change has happened. We don’t want to learn from those we have taught and sometimes we forget to listen. When truth is painful and resonates deeply it’s hard to accept, it’s hard to see especially when it comes from someone so close to you.
As hard as it is, I want to open my eyes. I want to hear what people have to say and see truth wherever it comes from. I want to witness miracles and have faith enough to make a difference. These people of Nazareth has shown me who I do not want to be and I’m choosing to learn from them. Today I pray for open eyes, for truth to reveal itself and the path to become clear. Today I choose to see. Will you open your eyes and join me?
