FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Jesus, A Person of History

His name is Jesus of Nazareth.

Mark tells us that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee. Why would such information be an important part of naming the bringer of good news? What does it suggest? Certainly, when we meet someone new, we may ask, “Where are you from?” Why? Often I guess we want to show an interest in the person or identify common backgrounds or experiences; we are pleasantly surprised if we know people in common. On another level knowing where someone is from gives us an idea of who they are.

I am from West Virginia—do visions of hillbillies or moonshine stills come to your mind. Do you think of the Hatfield and McCoy feud? Perhaps you think I will be backward, unaware of the world, since I am from the hollows. Galilee had such a reputation in Jesus’ day. Nazareth was a provincial town in a backwater district of Judea and Judea was not the primary colony of mighty Rome. Jesus came from the sticks.
Mark perhaps also names Jesus this way to tell us that he was indeed a historical person. He lived. He died. Like all of us, he was human. He came to be baptized by John in the river Jordan. In his baptism by John, Jesus joined himself to a religious movement afoot in Judea of the first century CE, a movement to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Jesus then returned to Galilee, his home country, to preach, to bring his good news. In that region he would find followers; he would be reminded of his birth family; he would confront other religious leaders; he would do wondrous deeds. He would become known. But Jesus would continue to be a Galilean.

What is the significance for you that Mark names him Jesus of Nazareth?

Lord Jesus, you were a Galilean. Help me see those today who are like you. Amen.