Tape Ministry will return to the website again in February 2010

PROPHETS AT HOME

Our gospel reading this week continues on from Jesus' declaration that he is here "to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."

We are reminded that Jesus' words to the people at the synagogue were initially received with amazement and good feeling. However, as Jesus continues to speak and tell them that "no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown" the mood of the congregation changes to disbelief and rage. In fact Jesus nearly ends up being thrown off a cliff, but he walks away.

It's really hard to image that God could be speaking or acting through someone if we happen to know that person really well. It may be a family member, or someone we've grown up with but how and why are they different and filled with the words of God? It is easier to acknowledge the presence of God in those we don't know too well, or look up to, those in places of power and influence.

But God doesn't work that way; all we need to do is read the Bible to find the number of ordinary people that God uses. Our Old Testament reading today is about Jeremiah who considers himself too young to speak for God. But God's reply is "I am giving you the words you must speak."

It is usually easier to speak God's words to those we don't know well. It is also easier to be heard by those we don't know well. So I think our challenge is to be on the lookout for the word of God, not to judge the person who may bring it - they may not even realize that what they are speaking comes from God - but to be open to the word of God. As John told us last week, the word of God cannot be ignored, but must be acted upon.

John also commented on the courage of Jesus, to say that he would not be welcomed, listened to or able to perform any miracles in the place where he was known best would not have been easy. And we are told the reaction he received. So, if we are to be Christ followers we need to have the courage to say and do things that are not going to be popular. We need to be the voices that call those around us, and the world, back to living the lives we were created to live.

Jay Robinson
Epiphany 4