Adult Object Lesson: Epiphany 4 (Luke 4:21-30)
Jesus Goes Home
Today’s object is a paddle ball.
Hit the ball and point out that the ball returns to the paddle only to get a good swat.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus returns to his home. He is among the people who knew him as a boy. He is Joseph’s and Mary’s boy. Jesus, the carpenter. Their children had played with him. The town was filled with his carpentry handiwork.
But the word about his recent activities has them curious. The crowds gather to take a look at the hometown boy. Jesus has been curing the sick!
We are familiar with the return of the local youth who has gone off to make a name in sports or show business.
Naturally, the town likes to claim a small piece of glory for having nurtured the star.
That’s what is happening in today’s gospel story. Jesus, the miracle worker, is home!
Nazareth gathers at the temple where Jesus has just revealed that he is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
Things start out well enough. The people are astonished and proud.
Jesus himself poisons the crowd. He leads them on.
Jesus fails to play the expected role of humble hometown boy, acknowledging the support bestowed on him in his youth. In fact, he is anything but humble. He bypasses his local roots and claims the heritage of the prophets.
I suppose you think I’m going to save you just because I know you. Well, good neighbors, that’s not the way it is. Elijah fed only one widow. Elisha cured only one leper. Just because I can do miracles doesn’t mean I will do miracles.
Who does he think he is?
(Here you might borrow the imagery from the epistle lesson-1 Corinthians 13). Somebody grab a mirror and make him look at his face. Who do you see in the mirror? That’s right. You are Jesus OF NAZARETH. You are no different from any other Nazarene. Rein it in, Jesus. Remember your roots.
It’s hard to imagine how the hometown crowd turned so suddenly into a lynch mob, dragging the man they had watched grow up to the edge of a cliff, fully prepared to hurl him to his death.
As you tell the story you might demonstrate the mounting tension with the paddle, hitting the ball faster and harder each time the ball returns to its starting point.
Jesus has control of the situation start to finish. He knows that he is finished with his hometown. He knows what lies ahead. The edge of the cliff is no threat.
It is Epiphany, the season of revelation. That’s what this story is all about. Jesus has revealed to his closest neighbors that he is no longer—and never really was—of the world that reared him.
Make no mistake. He is meant for bigger things. Out of his way. He’s coming through.
Give the ball one last wild swat.