[Please take a moment to read Luke 4:16-31 to better understand the full context of Jesus' experience.]

According the Luke, the first time Jesus preached in his home church, the response was not very positive or affirming. Those gathered in the congregation were not sure who they were hearing or even from where his authority to speak had come. There is an old country saying that warns preachers about crossing that thin line between "preaching" and "meddling." It is one thing to preach the Gospel, it is another thing all together when the Gospel steps on my toes, infringing upon my life in a way that makes me uneasy. That Saturday in the temple, Jesus "went to meddling." It wasn't so much what he read from the prophet Isaiah, or even that he spoke of the fulfillment of the reading. What was so upsetting was the prophetic challenge Jesus spoke next, perhaps holding those who knew Jesus best accountable for their behavior in the community's treatment of the poor and marginalized. The congregation was so angry they wanted to kill Jesus.

Think about that.

His words cut so deep they wanted to kill him.

They wanted to kill him because of his words.

Luke ends this event in the life of Jesus with a powerful image: "He passed through the midst of them and went on his way." Not fearing the anger or the threat to his life, Jesus stood his ground, held on to the courage of his convictions, he passed through - did not go around, did not avoid , but passed through - the crowds and went on his way.

When faced with opposition - especially when it is life threatening- it can be easy to wilt, giving in to the pressure, compromising your principles in the name of safety. Jesus shows us a different path where light passes through an obstruction in the midst of the darkness, coming out on the other side, more powerful than ever before.

This week, we will explore these events in the life of Jesus (Luke 4:21-30), reflecting upon our own response when our words and deeds of justice are met with opposition and anger. Facing uncertainty, are will willing to pass through and continue going along our way ... or even better, going the way of Jesus?