Angry with Jesus
When preparing the eulogy for a funeral service, there are several questions that I usually ask of the family to get a better understanding of the social characteristics of the deceased. In addition to asking “what are your favorite memories of your loved one?”, I will also ask, “what are some things s/he did in their free time?” and “what are some things that made her/him laugh?” These questions usually can elicit a series of humorous stories and tearful recollections. To better understand the spiritual characteristics of the deceased, people typically ask questions about favorite scriptures or favorite hymns. Sometimes these details are quickly recalled, but other times, even close family members may have difficulty recalling scriptures or hymns. Two questions that can be particularly revealing when preparing the eulogy are (1) “tell me about the pastor s/he liked best?” and (2) “tell me about the pastor s/he liked least?” Some families prefer not to discuss least-liked pastors, especially during an emotionally difficult time such as the death of a loved one. However, the questions that arise are similar to the circumstances following the epiphany of Jesus that is described in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Luke.
Following the reading of the scroll in the synagogue in which Jesus declares “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). The people were initially amazed following his reading, but amazement soon gave way to outrage. So much so, that the people wished to hurl Jesus from a cliff.
Why did people become so angry with Jesus? In the commentary about this passage, award-winning theologian and preacher, Fred Craddock, notes “Anger and violence are the last defense of those who are made to face the truth of their own tradition which they had long defended and embraced. Learning what we already know is painfully difficult. All of us know what it is like to be at war with ourselves, sometimes making casualties of those who are guilty of nothing but speaking the truth in love.”
Craddock’s words are powerful and penetrating. The truth can be many, many things—hurtful, angering, liberating, motivating, frightening and more. The truth can be destructive and the truth can be constructive. When is it most difficult to speak truthfully? When is it easiest to hear the truth?
Why would people become so angry with Jesus that the only recourse was to kill Him? What words of Jesus do you find most difficult to accept? When has honesty been far more destructive than constructive? Obviously, not everyone desired to kill Jesus. Some wanted to follow him; some wanted to better understand him; and others found it difficult to have him around.
The church is a caring community that speaks the truth in love not to destroy, but to build, to edify and to strengthen. Our Lenten resource will be “40 Days of Community: What on Earth are We Here For?” by Rick Warren. Over the six Sundays of Lent, we will explore the ways that God planned for Christians to fulfill their purpose in community. Order your copies now of the workbook and the daily devotional. More information will be coming to detail the ways that we will build community together.
In Christ,
Jon McCoy
