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Minister’s Musings
Can any good come out of Nazareth? That’s the question Nathaniel asks Philip when Philip tells him that he has found the Messiah who is a carpenter from Nazareth. “You’re kidding!” the sophisticated Nathaniel says. “Nazareth?” Nazareth? Far away from the metropolitan center of Jerusalem. Nazareth? A small, insignificant village? Nazareth? A place without many resources?
We can feel that way about ourselves as well. Often we can feel overwhelmed by the demands placed upon us. I think parents must have times when they feed adrift at sea, wondering if they have a clue about what they are doing or if the decision they made was the right one or what the effect on the kids will be. But we all have those time when we feel so lost, when we feel not up to the job we have to do.
The prophet Jeremiah had days like that also. He was young when God called him to be a prophet, “a youth” he says. And the message he was given to “tell forth” to the king and the people of Judah would not win him any popularity contests because God through Jeremiah was calling for repentance. God was tired of the rich and educatated people taking advantage of the poor and illiterate. God wanted not only a confession (although that would have been a good starting point). God wanted them to change their behavior and stop doing what they were doing. That made them angry. They lashed out at Jeremiah. They called him names, tried to discredit him and even threw him in a dry well for a few days. And I’m sure Jeremiah though, “Can any good come out of me?”
Jeremiah complained to God, “Everyone hates me. Even my friends are trying to discredit me. And as for this message of repentance? It’s getting ignored. God, I want to quit!”
God’s answer is surprising. “Jeremiah, you hang in there. And if you are faithful, you can continue to be my prophet for a long time.” Thank you, God.
Can any good come out of the complaining and discouraged Jeremiah? He is still speaking to us today.
So what about you? When you look at the call God has given you to be a parent, grandparent, teacher, office worker, contractor, health worker, repair person, and witness to Christ in the world, do you have those days when you feel out on the margins and without a lot of resources for the task at hand? Do you have those days when you ask God, “Can any good come out of me?”
Philip’s response to Nathaniel was simple: “Come and see.” And then he took Nathaniel to encounter Jesus from Nazareth. Imagine that! The little, inadequate town of Nazareth contained the Messiah of the world!
When you were baptized, the Holy Spirit of Jesus came to dwell in you. Like a pregnant woman who carries this new life with her weherever she goes, you carry the new life of Christ with you as you go about the ordinary tasks of life.
Can any good come out of Nazareth? Can any good come out of you? Yes! For wherever Christ dwells, there is the presence of God.
In Christ,
Pastor Betty
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