NAZARETH

When Jesus came to Nazareth where he had spent his youth,
the people waited anxiously to see
if all the things which they had heard of him while he was gone 
were justified or mere hyperbole.
They heard that John had said of him, "Behold the lamb of God."1
And, "I have need to be baptized of thee."2
That when he was submerged in Jordan, went up straight away,
and as the heaven opened he could see
the Spirit of his Father, like the body of a dove,
descending on this man from Galilee.
"Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased."3
A voice proclaimed in heavenly decree.
Could Mary's son whom they had known since he was just a boy
now be the Holy Christ of prophecy?

He went into the synagogue and stood up for to read,
as was his custom on the Sabbath Day.
And reading from Isaiah 61, proclaimed himself
the prophecy's fulfillment under way.
He closed the book and gave it to the minister again,
and took his seat to everyone's dismay.
All eyes within the synagogue were fixed on him alone,
all ears intent on what he had to say.
And many bore him witness at the gracious words he spoke,
though Jesus was unmoved by their display.
He knew that they would challenge him to duplicate the works
of healing he accomplished while away.
Reminding them how prophets are rejected by their own,
he dashed their hopes of seeing a replay.

To bathe in borrowed glory was their hope at his return.
Now, with those hopes rebuffed, their anger grew.
And all they in the synagogue who heard the things he said
were filled with wrath against him right on cue.
Joined in their resentment, stirred by hatred, up they rose
to cast this brash imposter from their view.
They thrust him from the city that had been his family home,
and he knew what they had a mind to do.
They led him to the hill whereon the city had been built
to cast him down for saying what was true.
But passing through the midst of them he simply went his way
unharmed by those who thought they could subdue
the message of the Christ which Jesus uttered faithfully,
and utters still today through me and you.
1. John 1:36;   2. Matt. 3:14;   3. Luke 3:22
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