All spoke well of Jesus, and then they were furious and tried to kill him.
Lest we assume that heeding God’s plan instead of our own guarantees a blissful journey, we would do well to notice “and then.” It is in the “and then” that much of life gets lived.
The people who hear Jesus read the scripture with authority, hear him say his intention is to fulfill it, are confused.* Isn’t this their own Jesus, a boy from their village? Can he be Messiah material? If you can really do what you say, Jesus, why not start right here?
Part of living life as a journey is not to know ahead of time where we will be sent, with whom we will join our lives, what we will be called upon to say or do in certain times and circumstances. Jesus reminds them that Elijah was not sent to help the widows of his own region but another, and Elisha did not heal leprosy at home but was sent to a Syrian.
We, too, are not likely to be the best source of healing for our own families and communities. We must go wherever we are sent and trust God to send others for the needs at home. This can sound harsh and uncaring to those we leave.
Even Jesus did not expect praise when he could not be what others wanted him to be. To listen and follow does not guarantee appreciation. Will we follow anyway?
For more
- Have I experienced being misunderstood at home?
- How have I known affirmation … “and then”…?
- When I let go of my need for family approval, I can …?
