Jesus finds himself stuck in other people’s resentment in this morning’s
gospel. People reacted to Jesus with resentment because they thought they knew
what his capabilities were. “Where did he get
this wisdom? We know him! He’s just a carpenter, Mary’s son. How can he
be any better than his brothers and sisters? We know them too!” The people of Nazareth
thought they knew the origin of Jesus, so they knew all about Him.
Ever hear the expression, “familiarity breeds contempt?” This familiarity
that breeds contempt is usually based in someone’s origins, or what we already know
about the person. That knowledge is what limited Jesus’ power in his hometown. Our
knowledge of what we can do is often based in the past, in the familiar, in
what we think we know. It is often the reason we cannot imagine ourselves doing
or being something different. We simply cannot imagine being the best God has
called us to be because it is different from what we know.
Some time ago I read about a study done with a group of children and
teachers. You may have heard of this study. I’ll admit I was a bit baffled why
the study was such big news. I remember thinking, “Doesn’t everyone realize this is what would happen?”
The psychologists conducting the study took a group of students labeled
as underachievers, children who tested as below-average intelligence and put
them in a classroom. They told the children’s teachers the children were
high-achievers of high intelligence. The children did extremely well,
above-average, in fact.
The same psychologists also had a group of students who tested as
above-average intelligence who were high-achievers. They told their teachers
the students were underachievers of below-average intelligence. Even though the
children were really above average in both intelligence and achievement, they
did poorly.
What does this tell us about the effect our preconceived notions can
have on one another and on ourselves?
Can you imagine for a moment the conversations the teachers had with the
below average, low-achieving students they thought were high-achievers of high
intelligence? It probably went something like this. “You can figure this out. I
know how bright you are!” Or perhaps, “Look how easy that was for you. Try this
next problem; you’ll figure out how to do it too.” And maybe even, “What a
smart girl (or boy) you are! You did that perfectly.”
Could it be that for the first time in their lives these children who
had been known as low achievers were given an opportunity to be their best
simply because no one knew they couldn’t
be? Could it be once the burden of being labeled a low achiever of low
intelligent was gone, the children were able to achieve?
It seems pretty astonishing that the people of Nazareth didn’t believe
Jesus was capable of deeds of power. Just before he came back home he’d healed
a women who’d bled for twelve years just by having her touch his clothing. And,
he’d brought a little girl back to life. Surely rumors of those deeds of power
had reached Nazareth. Yet Jesus was unable to do deeds of power in Nazareth, in
his own hometown.
Now what about all that stuff about how God is all-powerful and we just
need to get out of the way and let the Holy Spirit work? Is it up to us after
all? Well no. And yes. It’s not as if Jesus couldn’t do anything in Nazareth. He did heal some people. The problem may well
have been this: the people of Nazareth were carrying the burden of their
knowledge about who Jesus was. That burden was his childhood, their ideas about
his family, and their notions of what a person from a small village like
Nazareth was capable of doing.
Mark’s Gospel, in this particular story, asks us to think about what we
are called to do. And, the story asks us to think about what we need to answer that call. What burden is
it we need to let go of or put down to free us to do what we’re being called to
do?
Jesus tells the disciples to leave behind their bag, their bread, and their
money in the second part of this morning’s Gospel. If you’re carrying a burden
it’s hard to see and hear what God is asking you to do.
What are you are carrying that keeps you from doing God’s deeds of power?
Is it regret you’re carrying? Is it some long-held grudge? Is it some hurt that
still keeps you from loving? Some anger, that withholds you from joy? Is there
an addiction that you keep carrying even though you want to put it down? Did someone
in your life convince you you’re a low-achiever not capable of doing whatever
God is asking?
Where are you carrying that burden? Never mind why. But where are you taking
it? Think for a moment about where you’re going with it. (Pause.)
Now imagine putting down that burden, whatever it may hold. Imagine
yourself putting down that burden walking away. (Pause.)
Now imagine a place where you and we can be our best for God. (Pasue.) A
place where we know that where someone comes from is far less important that what
they become at their best. Imagine for a moment the things God has in store for
you. (Pause.) The things God wants you to do because God believes you are a high
achiever of high intelligence. (Pause.) Imagine the deeds of power you, yes you, can do. Deeds of power and wisdom
and strength, all because you put down a burden so your hands and your heart are
free to do what God believes you can do. AMEN.
The Rev Nicolette Papanek
©2018
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