WEEKLY REFLECTIONS FROM REV WILL

Mark 6 v3 “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offence at him.

Dear Friends

Small towns are understandably proud of their sporting heroes (think Andy Murray and Dunblane). The same is true for many celebrities as well. However, it is one thing being the local girl or boy made good (making an occasional feel-good return), quite another growing up in a place and then taking on the mantle of leadership in the same place.

When Jesus returns to Galilee the locals are notably unimpressed! His humble background eclipses all other considerations. Knowing Jesus as a carpenter and the names of his family seems to rule out taking him seriously. It would appear there is no space for Jesus to grow, to change, to gain or reveal a new identity over time.

Many a young person feels the need to leave home to become who they are, or stop being seen as purely the son or daughter of their parents. Many an older person feels that their role has become set over time in a certain place and that it is harder and harder to go off in a different direction. Churches have often been bastions of tradition and lagged behind changes in the rest of society. I think of young people being offered the role of ‘Junior Steward’ rather than ask them what they might bring to the church on their own terms. No wonder they walked!

The Jesus of the gospels is no pillar of the establishment. He questions everything whether it be trust in wealth, status or keeping the rules as a means of pleasing God. Controversy rather than calm seems to follow him wherever he goes. To follow Jesus would appear to be to follow a troublemaker! Could it be the reason we have failed to attract people to the church is not a failure to advertise well but a failure to present the real Jesus of the gospels? Is it possible that even in a consumer age full of cynicism some people are still looking for the real Jesus? Someone who will accept them as they are and invite them to join a new community? Who will turn their lives upside down? And what if that invitation is as relevant for us inside the church as those outside?

Mark 6v5 says ‘He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them’. Matthew finds this embarrassing and tones down this verse to say Jesus did few miracles in that place. Yet maybe Mark is on to something. Expectations define results. Expect little of Jesus, don’t take him seriously and lo and behold, little happens! I hope and pray this may not be the pattern of my life or that of anyone else in the church. There is always time to start again with God!

With love to you all,

Will & Pat xx