How Your Hometown Shapes You: And How to Move Beyond It | Rev Katie Montgomery Mears | 06.21.2026

Welcome to St. Luke's United Methodist Welcome to St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston. I'm Katie Montgomery Church in Houston. I'm Katie Montgomery Church in Houston. I'm Katie Montgomery Mears, the executive pastor, and I'm Mears, the executive pastor, and I'm Mears, the executive pastor, and I'm glad you're joining us today. Whether glad you're joining us today. Whether glad you're joining us today. Whether you're in the car, at the gym, or you're in the car, at the gym, or you're in the car, at the gym, or settling in for a quiet moment, let this settling in for a quiet moment, let this settling in for a quiet moment, let this be your time to draw closer to God. As be your time to draw closer to God. As be your time to draw closer to God. As we continue our series on the places we continue our series on the places we continue our series on the places Jesus visited, we're going to talk today Jesus visited, we're going to talk today Jesus visited, we're going to talk today about his time in the wilderness. We about his time in the wilderness. We about his time in the wilderness. We rarely enjoy it, but wilderness is rarely enjoy it, but wilderness is rarely enjoy it, but wilderness is always a part of our journeys, and always a part of our journeys, and always a part of our journeys, and there's something to learn while we're there's something to learn while we're there's something to learn while we're there. there. there. I hope to see you back next week to I hope to see you back next week to I hope to see you back next week to listen, learn, and grow together. listen, learn, and grow together. listen, learn, and grow together. >> Holy God, >> Holy God, >> Holy God, today we first thank you. today we first thank you. today we first thank you. Thank you for who you are, Thank you for who you are, Thank you for who you are, for your faithfulness, for for your faithfulness, for for your faithfulness, for your love, for the constant presence your love, for the constant presence your love, for the constant presence that you offer us, no matter where we that you offer us, no matter where we that you offer us, no matter where we are in life. are in life. are in life. God, today we also give you thanks for God, today we also give you thanks for God, today we also give you thanks for all the dads, granddads, uncles, all the dads, granddads, uncles, all the dads, granddads, uncles, coaches, teachers, and all of the men in coaches, teachers, and all of the men in coaches, teachers, and all of the men in our lives who have invested in us, who our lives who have invested in us, who our lives who have invested in us, who have poured into us love, encouragement, have poured into us love, encouragement, have poured into us love, encouragement, strength, support.

strength, support. strength, support. God, it has meant so much to have their God, it has meant so much to have their God, it has meant so much to have their influence in our lives, and today we influence in our lives, and today we influence in our lives, and today we thank you for them. thank you for them. thank you for them. And we lift them up to you. And we lift them up to you. And we lift them up to you. For all the dads today who are parenting For all the dads today who are parenting For all the dads today who are parenting babies who can't yet sit up, and babies who can't yet sit up, and babies who can't yet sit up, and toddlers who can't sit still. toddlers who can't sit still. toddlers who can't sit still. For all the dads today who are parenting For all the dads today who are parenting For all the dads today who are parenting elementary age kids who are running elementary age kids who are running elementary age kids who are running around in high up, adventuring, and around in high up, adventuring, and around in high up, adventuring, and camping, and lots of fun and energy. camping, and lots of fun and energy. camping, and lots of fun and energy. For the dads today who are parenting For the dads today who are parenting For the dads today who are parenting middle and high school students who are middle and high school students who are middle and high school students who are going through a lot of changes and going through a lot of changes and going through a lot of changes and transitions. transitions. transitions. For the dads who are parenting college For the dads who are parenting college For the dads who are parenting college age and young adults and middle adults age and young adults and middle adults age and young adults and middle adults and older adults. God, we thank you. and older adults. God, we thank you. and older adults. God, we thank you. And God, we pray that for each dad, And God, we pray that for each dad, And God, we pray that for each dad, wherever he is in his season of wherever he is in his season of wherever he is in his season of parenting, that you would fill him with parenting, that you would fill him with parenting, that you would fill him with strength strength strength and energy, and energy, and energy, patience, and grace, patience, and grace, patience, and grace, wisdom wisdom wisdom that comes only from you, God.

that comes only from you, God. that comes only from you, God. May you refresh and strengthen each one, May you refresh and strengthen each one, May you refresh and strengthen each one, giving them exactly what you know they giving them exactly what you know they giving them exactly what you know they need today. need today. need today. And God, for us to come to this day with And God, for us to come to this day with And God, for us to come to this day with a mixed bag. a mixed bag. a mixed bag. Thankful perhaps for a dad or father Thankful perhaps for a dad or father Thankful perhaps for a dad or father figure in our lives, figure in our lives, figure in our lives, or perhaps also grieving, or perhaps also grieving, or perhaps also grieving, grieving the loss of a dad or a father grieving the loss of a dad or a father grieving the loss of a dad or a father figure who we don't have on this earth figure who we don't have on this earth figure who we don't have on this earth with us anymore. Or Or some of us, God, are longing, longing some of us, God, are longing, longing some of us, God, are longing, longing and wishing that we could be parents, and wishing that we could be parents, and wishing that we could be parents, and yet we're not. and yet we're not. and yet we're not. Give us, God, opportunities to invest Give us, God, opportunities to invest Give us, God, opportunities to invest and pour into the people around us that and pour into the people around us that and pour into the people around us that you entrust to our care. you entrust to our care. you entrust to our care. God, for for those of us who are hurting God, for for those of us who are hurting God, for for those of us who are hurting today today today because our relationship with our dad or because our relationship with our dad or because our relationship with our dad or father figure is strained father figure is strained father figure is strained or broken or broken or broken or there's space that just can't seem to or there's space that just can't seem to or there's space that just can't seem to be reconciled be reconciled be reconciled or there's been significant harm done.

or there's been significant harm done. or there's been significant harm done. God, we pray for your healing God, we pray for your healing God, we pray for your healing and for your constant love to support us and for your constant love to support us and for your constant love to support us above everything. above everything. above everything. God, in every place we find ourselves, God, in every place we find ourselves, God, in every place we find ourselves, in every season of life, we thank you in every season of life, we thank you in every season of life, we thank you that you are there. that you are there. that you are there. And so today, God, we rally back around And so today, God, we rally back around And so today, God, we rally back around living into this prayer that you taught living into this prayer that you taught living into this prayer that you taught us, being the perfect father saying, us, being the perfect father saying, us, being the perfect father saying, "Our Father, "Our Father, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy kingdom come, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in thy will be done on earth as it is in thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. heaven. heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, Give us this day our daily bread, Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, and forgive us our trespasses, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against as we forgive those who trespass against as we forgive those who trespass against us. us. us. And lead us not into temptation, but And lead us not into temptation, but And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the deliver us from evil. For thine is the deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory kingdom and the power and the glory kingdom and the power and the glory forever. forever. forever. Amen."

Amen." Amen." I'm from a cul-de-sac where we played I'm from a cul-de-sac where we played I'm from a cul-de-sac where we played past dark. past dark. past dark. I'm from a swing set that my dad built I'm from a swing set that my dad built I'm from a swing set that my dad built with my help on the post hole digger. with my help on the post hole digger. with my help on the post hole digger. I'm from a queen-size bed I shared with I'm from a queen-size bed I shared with I'm from a queen-size bed I shared with my sister, even though we both had our my sister, even though we both had our my sister, even though we both had our own rooms. own rooms. own rooms. I'm from grandparents around the corner I'm from grandparents around the corner I'm from grandparents around the corner and cousins from the fence behind us. and cousins from the fence behind us. and cousins from the fence behind us. I am from boudin and gumbo and beignets I am from boudin and gumbo and beignets I am from boudin and gumbo and beignets and fried shrimp and boiled crawfish. and fried shrimp and boiled crawfish. and fried shrimp and boiled crawfish. And I think we hardly ever ate meat. And I think we hardly ever ate meat. And I think we hardly ever ate meat. I'm from Saturdays in Death Valley and I'm from Saturdays in Death Valley and I'm from Saturdays in Death Valley and fishing on Belle River. fishing on Belle River. fishing on Belle River. I'm from Mark and Frieda, but not just I'm from Mark and Frieda, but not just I'm from Mark and Frieda, but not just them because they too are products of them because they too are products of them because they too are products of where they're from, a clan in Scotland where they're from, a clan in Scotland where they're from, a clan in Scotland and kin in the pinewoods of Louisiana. and kin in the pinewoods of Louisiana. and kin in the pinewoods of Louisiana. I am from lock-ins and potlucks and I am from lock-ins and potlucks and I am from lock-ins and potlucks and piled on a bus for a UMYF youth trip. piled on a bus for a UMYF youth trip. piled on a bus for a UMYF youth trip. I'm from Saturdays on Habitat for I'm from Saturdays on Habitat for I'm from Saturdays on Habitat for Humanity job sites, first as a lemonade Humanity job sites, first as a lemonade Humanity job sites, first as a lemonade deliverer, watching my dad on the roof deliverer, watching my dad on the roof deliverer, watching my dad on the roof when I was little, when I was little, when I was little, and always wanting to be up there and and always wanting to be up there and and always wanting to be up there and eventually being old enough, eventually being old enough, eventually being old enough, and then I learned the true weight of and then I learned the true weight of and then I learned the true weight of asphalt shingles asphalt shingles asphalt shingles and what it really means to put a roof and what it really means to put a roof and what it really means to put a roof over someone's head.

over someone's head. over someone's head. George Ella Lyons wrote the first George Ella Lyons wrote the first George Ella Lyons wrote the first version of that poem, "I'm From", more version of that poem, "I'm From", more version of that poem, "I'm From", more than 30 years ago. And ever since it's than 30 years ago. And ever since it's than 30 years ago. And ever since it's been used around the world in classrooms been used around the world in classrooms been used around the world in classrooms as teachers have done this exercise with as teachers have done this exercise with as teachers have done this exercise with students, students, students, in prisons, at family reunions, in in prisons, at family reunions, in in prisons, at family reunions, in refugee camps, and therapist office with refugee camps, and therapist office with refugee camps, and therapist office with the clients. the clients. the clients. It helps people explore their roots. I It helps people explore their roots. I It helps people explore their roots. I am very clearly a person with a sense of am very clearly a person with a sense of am very clearly a person with a sense of place. Many of you have generously place. Many of you have generously place. Many of you have generously reminded me of that over the years as reminded me of that over the years as reminded me of that over the years as you hear me say that and then in the you hear me say that and then in the you hear me say that and then in the Lord's Prayer. Lord's Prayer. Lord's Prayer. When I go home to Louisiana, to Baton When I go home to Louisiana, to Baton When I go home to Louisiana, to Baton Rouge, things are in many ways exactly Rouge, things are in many ways exactly Rouge, things are in many ways exactly as I left my place. as I left my place. as I left my place. They um they still sell the good chicken They um they still sell the good chicken They um they still sell the good chicken salad at my parents' grocery store. salad at my parents' grocery store. salad at my parents' grocery store. And Lee Drive is still full of potholes. And Lee Drive is still full of potholes. And Lee Drive is still full of potholes. My dad's office smells exactly the same My dad's office smells exactly the same My dad's office smells exactly the same as it always did.

as it always did. as it always did. But I bet you've heard the saying, "You But I bet you've heard the saying, "You But I bet you've heard the saying, "You can't go home again." can't go home again." can't go home again." That comes from the 1940 novel by Thomas That comes from the 1940 novel by Thomas That comes from the 1940 novel by Thomas Wolfe in which the main character's kind Wolfe in which the main character's kind Wolfe in which the main character's kind of thinking about what it would be like of thinking about what it would be like of thinking about what it would be like to go back to his home and how things to go back to his home and how things to go back to his home and how things have changed. He writes, "You can't go have changed. He writes, "You can't go have changed. He writes, "You can't go back home to your family, back home to your family, back home to your family, back home to a young man's dreams of back home to a young man's dreams of back home to a young man's dreams of glory and a fame, glory and a fame, glory and a fame, back home to old forms and systems of back home to old forms and systems of back home to old forms and systems of things which once seemed everlasting. things which once seemed everlasting. things which once seemed everlasting. They are changing all the time. You They are changing all the time. You They are changing all the time. You can't go home again." can't go home again." can't go home again." And I can attest to, as many of you And I can attest to, as many of you And I can attest to, as many of you probably can when you think about your probably can when you think about your probably can when you think about your homes, that things are different. And homes, that things are different. And homes, that things are different. And when I think about my hometown, there when I think about my hometown, there when I think about my hometown, there are places that formed core memories in are places that formed core memories in are places that formed core memories in me that are gone without a trace. I turned right on Bluebonnet Boulevard I turned right on Bluebonnet Boulevard 15 years ago, road that I had turned 15 years ago, road that I had turned 15 years ago, road that I had turned right on my whole life, and I drove right on my whole life, and I drove right on my whole life, and I drove without thinking, and then I hit a dead without thinking, and then I hit a dead without thinking, and then I hit a dead end, and I could not figure out what had end, and I could not figure out what had end, and I could not figure out what had happened, except that they had taken happened, except that they had taken happened, except that they had taken away the whole end of the road while I away the whole end of the road while I away the whole end of the road while I was living a state away.

was living a state away. was living a state away. Our hometowns shape us. They are the Our hometowns shape us. They are the Our hometowns shape us. They are the places that form us and make us who we places that form us and make us who we places that form us and make us who we are and give us a sense of worth. are and give us a sense of worth. are and give us a sense of worth. And I'm talking both about hometowns in And I'm talking both about hometowns in And I'm talking both about hometowns in a literal way as well as the figurative a literal way as well as the figurative a literal way as well as the figurative sense of like our homes that shape us sense of like our homes that shape us sense of like our homes that shape us and our families that shape us. and our families that shape us. and our families that shape us. Today on Father's Day, we can't help but Today on Father's Day, we can't help but Today on Father's Day, we can't help but think about the fathers that shaped us, think about the fathers that shaped us, think about the fathers that shaped us, the grandfathers, the grandfathers, the grandfathers, the coaches, the coaches, the coaches, the friends, the uncles, those that the friends, the uncles, those that the friends, the uncles, those that poured into our lives and showed us or poured into our lives and showed us or poured into our lives and showed us or maybe actually failed to show us what it maybe actually failed to show us what it maybe actually failed to show us what it really means to love, what it means to really means to love, what it means to really means to love, what it means to work hard. I I wonder if you have ever really I I wonder if you have ever really thought about the these forces that are thought about the these forces that are thought about the these forces that are at work in your life. at work in your life. at work in your life. Maybe really considered what it is that Maybe really considered what it is that Maybe really considered what it is that your hometown has done for you. When you your hometown has done for you. When you your hometown has done for you. When you think about your hometown, do you think think about your hometown, do you think think about your hometown, do you think about it with warmth? Do you think about about it with warmth? Do you think about about it with warmth? Do you think about it with joy because you're going to walk it with joy because you're going to walk it with joy because you're going to walk into a place where someone knew your into a place where someone knew your into a place where someone knew your mama?

mama? mama? Or is it a place that carries decades of Or is it a place that carries decades of Or is it a place that carries decades of anxiety and grief and trauma? anxiety and grief and trauma? anxiety and grief and trauma? I wonder if you've ever thought about I wonder if you've ever thought about I wonder if you've ever thought about this question turned around a little this question turned around a little this question turned around a little bit. What about the places that you've bit. What about the places that you've bit. What about the places that you've shaped or the places that you are shaped or the places that you are shaped or the places that you are shaping? shaping? shaping? How are you leaving people? We cannot How are you leaving people? We cannot How are you leaving people? We cannot deny the impact that we are having on deny the impact that we are having on deny the impact that we are having on our children and on our grandchildren our children and on our grandchildren our children and on our grandchildren and those that are around us in our and those that are around us in our and those that are around us in our neighborhood and in our church neighborhood and in our church neighborhood and in our church community, community, community, in our hometown. in our hometown. in our hometown. I wonder if you're happy when you think I wonder if you're happy when you think I wonder if you're happy when you think about that, if you feel like you have about that, if you feel like you have about that, if you feel like you have done it in a way that you're proud of. done it in a way that you're proud of. done it in a way that you're proud of. Or maybe it brings up something in you Or maybe it brings up something in you Or maybe it brings up something in you that you wish was different. that you wish was different. that you wish was different. I do want to say to you today, if that I do want to say to you today, if that I do want to say to you today, if that is the case, it is not too late to is the case, it is not too late to is the case, it is not too late to change things. change things. change things. I hope that you'll take this as I hope that you'll take this as I hope that you'll take this as something that moves you forward in something that moves you forward in something that moves you forward in making some type of change. Because making some type of change. Because making some type of change. Because look, God can work through a broken look, God can work through a broken look, God can work through a broken home, a broken background, a broken home, a broken background, a broken home, a broken background, a broken hometown, a hard situation, a hometown, a hard situation, a hometown, a hard situation, a complicated complicated complicated home.

home. home. That's what God did for Jesus. That That's what God did for Jesus. That That's what God did for Jesus. That Jesus was formed and shaped in Nazareth, Jesus was formed and shaped in Nazareth, Jesus was formed and shaped in Nazareth, and Jesus was rejected in Nazareth. and Jesus was rejected in Nazareth. and Jesus was rejected in Nazareth. Nazareth was an interesting place, Nazareth was an interesting place, Nazareth was an interesting place, Jesus' hometown. It's not mentioned at Jesus' hometown. It's not mentioned at Jesus' hometown. It's not mentioned at all in the Old Testament. It's not all in the Old Testament. It's not all in the Old Testament. It's not mentioned in any of the Roman mentioned in any of the Roman mentioned in any of the Roman historians' accounts. It's not mentioned historians' accounts. It's not mentioned historians' accounts. It's not mentioned in early Jewish writings. What we have in early Jewish writings. What we have in early Jewish writings. What we have of it comes from the accounts in the of it comes from the accounts in the of it comes from the accounts in the Gospels and in the book of Acts. Gospels and in the book of Acts. Gospels and in the book of Acts. And what we've discovered really in the And what we've discovered really in the And what we've discovered really in the past 140 years or so, since past 140 years or so, since past 140 years or so, since archaeologists have begun to unearth it. archaeologists have begun to unearth it. archaeologists have begun to unearth it. But what we know of it from the Gospels But what we know of it from the Gospels But what we know of it from the Gospels and from Acts is that it was a place and from Acts is that it was a place and from Acts is that it was a place that was thought of as kind of a nothing that was thought of as kind of a nothing that was thought of as kind of a nothing town. town. town. That in the Gospel of John, when Philip That in the Gospel of John, when Philip That in the Gospel of John, when Philip goes up to Nathanael and says, "Um we goes up to Nathanael and says, "Um we goes up to Nathanael and says, "Um we found the Messiah. He's from Nazareth." found the Messiah. He's from Nazareth." found the Messiah. He's from Nazareth." Nathanael says, "Can anything good come Nathanael says, "Can anything good come Nathanael says, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" from Nazareth?" from Nazareth?" That was the way that people talked That was the way that people talked That was the way that people talked about this little town. It was, okay, if about this little town. It was, okay, if about this little town. It was, okay, if you look at your bulletin, you can see you look at your bulletin, you can see you look at your bulletin, you can see under the ETH in Nazareth, that uh under the ETH in Nazareth, that uh under the ETH in Nazareth, that uh there's this tiny ridge. That Nazareth there's this tiny ridge. That Nazareth there's this tiny ridge. That Nazareth really sat on that ridge that overlooked really sat on that ridge that overlooked really sat on that ridge that overlooked the Jezreel Valley. But the thing about the Jezreel Valley. But the thing about the Jezreel Valley. But the thing about it is it's, in a bowl in that ridge. And it is it's, in a bowl in that ridge. And it is it's, in a bowl in that ridge. And so, as even though it's on this ridge so, as even though it's on this ridge so, as even though it's on this ridge that's overlooking the Jezreel, the town that's overlooking the Jezreel, the town that's overlooking the Jezreel, the town of Nazareth was deep down in that bowl, of Nazareth was deep down in that bowl, of Nazareth was deep down in that bowl, and it didn't overlook anything.

and it didn't overlook anything. and it didn't overlook anything. It was contained. You had to climb over It was contained. You had to climb over It was contained. You had to climb over the lip of the ridge to get in or out of the lip of the ridge to get in or out of the lip of the ridge to get in or out of it. it. it. And so, we had really it was um And so, we had really it was um And so, we had really it was um substance farmers that lived there, and substance farmers that lived there, and substance farmers that lived there, and builders, and people that could make builders, and people that could make builders, and people that could make their life from the ground that was their life from the ground that was their life from the ground that was provided there. And so, the town really provided there. And so, the town really provided there. And so, the town really could never grow larger than what they could never grow larger than what they could never grow larger than what they could feed with all of their farming. could feed with all of their farming. could feed with all of their farming. Archaeologists have found cisterns and Archaeologists have found cisterns and Archaeologists have found cisterns and wine presses and olive presses and grain wine presses and olive presses and grain wine presses and olive presses and grain barrels that helped them kind of barrels that helped them kind of barrels that helped them kind of determine how big the town was, and it determine how big the town was, and it determine how big the town was, and it was probably never bigger than 300 or was probably never bigger than 300 or was probably never bigger than 300 or 400 people at the most. 400 people at the most. 400 people at the most. It was kind of a nothing town, which It was kind of a nothing town, which It was kind of a nothing town, which created a bit of a PR problem for Jesus created a bit of a PR problem for Jesus created a bit of a PR problem for Jesus being from Nazareth. being from Nazareth. being from Nazareth. But, then he went out, and he started But, then he went out, and he started But, then he went out, and he started doing his ministry all around Galilee. doing his ministry all around Galilee. doing his ministry all around Galilee. He settled in Capernaum for a while, He settled in Capernaum for a while, He settled in Capernaum for a while, that kind of became a home base. that kind of became a home base. that kind of became a home base. He rebuked demons, he healed Jairus's He rebuked demons, he healed Jairus's He rebuked demons, he healed Jairus's daughter, he healed a bleeding woman, he daughter, he healed a bleeding woman, he daughter, he healed a bleeding woman, he taught in parables, and then it's time taught in parables, and then it's time taught in parables, and then it's time for him to come home.

for him to come home. for him to come home. To return to Nazareth. And it's the To return to Nazareth. And it's the To return to Nazareth. And it's the Sabbath, and so he goes straight to the Sabbath, and so he goes straight to the Sabbath, and so he goes straight to the synagogue. And when I read that story, synagogue. And when I read that story, synagogue. And when I read that story, it makes me think about the first time it makes me think about the first time it makes me think about the first time that I went back to my hometown church that I went back to my hometown church that I went back to my hometown church after I became a pastor. My mom was so after I became a pastor. My mom was so after I became a pastor. My mom was so excited that I was going to be preaching excited that I was going to be preaching excited that I was going to be preaching at Broadmoor United Methodist Church in at Broadmoor United Methodist Church in at Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, and she told everybody. And Baton Rouge, and she told everybody. And Baton Rouge, and she told everybody. And so, the morning that I got there, the so, the morning that I got there, the so, the morning that I got there, the pews were full, and it was extended pews were full, and it was extended pews were full, and it was extended family and lifelong friends. And I think family and lifelong friends. And I think family and lifelong friends. And I think a lot about what it might have been like a lot about what it might have been like a lot about what it might have been like for Jesus, because surely Mary had that for Jesus, because surely Mary had that for Jesus, because surely Mary had that same excitement. Her son who has been same excitement. Her son who has been same excitement. Her son who has been gone now gone now gone now has come back. He's coming to the has come back. He's coming to the has come back. He's coming to the hometown. She's so proud of him. People hometown. She's so proud of him. People hometown. She's so proud of him. People are kind of hearing rumors that Jesus is are kind of hearing rumors that Jesus is are kind of hearing rumors that Jesus is out rebuking demons, healing people, out rebuking demons, healing people, out rebuking demons, healing people, doing incredible acts. And so surely doing incredible acts. And so surely doing incredible acts. And so surely there a buzz in the synagogue that there a buzz in the synagogue that there a buzz in the synagogue that morning, right? I kind of picture them morning, right? I kind of picture them morning, right? I kind of picture them just like sitting there in their seats just like sitting there in their seats just like sitting there in their seats elbowing each other having this like, elbowing each other having this like, elbowing each other having this like, you know, I hope he's great, but even if you know, I hope he's great, but even if you know, I hope he's great, but even if he's not we'll cheer anyway, you know, he's not we'll cheer anyway, you know, he's not we'll cheer anyway, you know, hometown guy.

hometown guy. hometown guy. We'll encourage him. We'll encourage him. We'll encourage him. But then Jesus starts speaking and very But then Jesus starts speaking and very But then Jesus starts speaking and very quickly their tender-hearted benevolence quickly their tender-hearted benevolence quickly their tender-hearted benevolence turns to disbelief. turns to disbelief. turns to disbelief. And you can hear it in their questions. And you can hear it in their questions. And you can hear it in their questions. Is this not Mary's son? Is this not the Is this not Mary's son? Is this not the Is this not Mary's son? Is this not the brother of James? Who's this guy? Right? brother of James? Who's this guy? Right? brother of James? Who's this guy? Right? Even as the weight of what he's saying Even as the weight of what he's saying Even as the weight of what he's saying lands with them and they recognize the lands with them and they recognize the lands with them and they recognize the truth in it, they're still like, we truth in it, they're still like, we truth in it, they're still like, we don't recognize the way that it's don't recognize the way that it's don't recognize the way that it's coming. coming. coming. How is Jesus one of us? How is Jesus one of us? How is Jesus one of us? How is he saying these things? How could How is he saying these things? How could How is he saying these things? How could he be so different than us? Mark tells us that they took offense at Mark tells us that they took offense at him. But the word in Greek is so much him. But the word in Greek is so much him. But the word in Greek is so much more severe. It's scandalizo. They were more severe. It's scandalizo. They were more severe. It's scandalizo. They were scandalized by him. scandalized by him. scandalized by him. What could make these people that knew What could make these people that knew What could make these people that knew Jesus for 30 years when he was growing Jesus for 30 years when he was growing Jesus for 30 years when he was growing up, knew him deeply and intimately up, knew him deeply and intimately up, knew him deeply and intimately scandalized by him? scandalized by him? scandalized by him? I think it's that their familiarity I think it's that their familiarity I think it's that their familiarity blinded them to him.

blinded them to him. blinded them to him. That they they couldn't even see who he That they they couldn't even see who he That they they couldn't even see who he had become, who God was using him to be. had become, who God was using him to be. had become, who God was using him to be. If um if you heard the story and you If um if you heard the story and you If um if you heard the story and you related to Jesus this morning because related to Jesus this morning because related to Jesus this morning because you are the person who has changed you are the person who has changed you are the person who has changed um and you are the person who has done um and you are the person who has done um and you are the person who has done the work and you are the person who has the work and you are the person who has the work and you are the person who has gone to rehab or changed your habits or gone to rehab or changed your habits or gone to rehab or changed your habits or treated your children differently, but treated your children differently, but treated your children differently, but you felt that sting of rejection that you felt that sting of rejection that you felt that sting of rejection that Jesus felt. Jesus who was fully human Jesus felt. Jesus who was fully human Jesus felt. Jesus who was fully human and fully God, and in his humanness felt and fully God, and in his humanness felt and fully God, and in his humanness felt that rejection. If you know what that's that rejection. If you know what that's that rejection. If you know what that's like, let me just reassure you that like, let me just reassure you that like, let me just reassure you that Jesus does, too. Jesus does, too. Jesus does, too. That he is with you. That even after you That he is with you. That even after you That he is with you. That even after you have done have done have done the hard and the unglamorous work of the hard and the unglamorous work of the hard and the unglamorous work of making changes, making changes, making changes, and people can't see it, that Jesus and people can't see it, that Jesus and people can't see it, that Jesus knows that your work is not valueless knows that your work is not valueless knows that your work is not valueless because other people don't recognize it.

because other people don't recognize it. because other people don't recognize it. And maybe you heard this, And maybe you heard this, And maybe you heard this, and you have done work, but it's not so and you have done work, but it's not so and you have done work, but it's not so much what other people think about you much what other people think about you much what other people think about you that's hard for you. It's really what that's hard for you. It's really what that's hard for you. It's really what you think about yourself. you think about yourself. you think about yourself. That you remember every time you chose That you remember every time you chose That you remember every time you chose to stay late at the office instead of to stay late at the office instead of to stay late at the office instead of going home to your family. going home to your family. going home to your family. Or every time you spoke harshly to Or every time you spoke harshly to Or every time you spoke harshly to somebody, to your children, to a somebody, to your children, to a somebody, to your children, to a colleague. Every time that you let your colleague. Every time that you let your colleague. Every time that you let your alcoholism take over. alcoholism take over. alcoholism take over. Every bad decision you make, and you Every bad decision you make, and you Every bad decision you make, and you think to yourself, think to yourself, think to yourself, like Nathanael asking, "What good could like Nathanael asking, "What good could like Nathanael asking, "What good could come from Nazareth?" You think, "What come from Nazareth?" You think, "What come from Nazareth?" You think, "What good could come from me? What good could good could come from me? What good could good could come from me? What good could come from my record? What good could come from my record? What good could come from my record? What good could come from the way I've treated my come from the way I've treated my come from the way I've treated my children? What good could come from my children? What good could come from my children? What good could come from my addiction?" Even as you have changed, addiction?" Even as you have changed, addiction?" Even as you have changed, and and you have done the work, you and and you have done the work, you and and you have done the work, you still have created this factual, still have created this factual, still have created this factual, permanent record of yourself. permanent record of yourself. permanent record of yourself. I think these judgments that come from I think these judgments that come from I think these judgments that come from the people closest to us and from the people closest to us and from the people closest to us and from ourselves are the hardest ones for us to ourselves are the hardest ones for us to ourselves are the hardest ones for us to get over because we desperately long for get over because we desperately long for get over because we desperately long for people to see good in us. We desperately people to see good in us. We desperately people to see good in us. We desperately long to see that good in ourselves.

long to see that good in ourselves. long to see that good in ourselves. And I want you to know that that good is And I want you to know that that good is And I want you to know that that good is there because you have the divine spark there because you have the divine spark there because you have the divine spark in you. in you. in you. Because the grace of God is in you. Because the grace of God is in you. Because the grace of God is in you. Because God, just as God chose to come Because God, just as God chose to come Because God, just as God chose to come and and and become manifest in this tiny town of become manifest in this tiny town of become manifest in this tiny town of Nazareth, Nazareth, Nazareth, God is alive in you as well. And that is God is alive in you as well. And that is God is alive in you as well. And that is where your worth comes from. where your worth comes from. where your worth comes from. From the living God inside of you. From the living God inside of you. From the living God inside of you. And that is where other people's worth And that is where other people's worth And that is where other people's worth comes from. comes from. comes from. From the living God inside of them. From the living God inside of them. From the living God inside of them. Because some of us may have heard this Because some of us may have heard this Because some of us may have heard this story this morning and we relate maybe story this morning and we relate maybe story this morning and we relate maybe more to the crowd, as much as we don't more to the crowd, as much as we don't more to the crowd, as much as we don't want to admit it to ourselves, than we want to admit it to ourselves, than we want to admit it to ourselves, than we relate to Jesus. Maybe we are missing relate to Jesus. Maybe we are missing relate to Jesus. Maybe we are missing that there is somebody else in front of that there is somebody else in front of that there is somebody else in front of us that has changed. us that has changed. us that has changed. Cuz remember how I said Nazareth sat Cuz remember how I said Nazareth sat Cuz remember how I said Nazareth sat down in that bowl on the ridge? That down in that bowl on the ridge? That down in that bowl on the ridge? That kept it pretty isolated. Nazareth was a kept it pretty isolated. Nazareth was a kept it pretty isolated. Nazareth was a town where the faith tradition was kept town where the faith tradition was kept town where the faith tradition was kept intact, where new ideas didn't really intact, where new ideas didn't really intact, where new ideas didn't really come in or go out. So, the people that come in or go out. So, the people that come in or go out. So, the people that rejected Jesus were not evil. They rejected Jesus were not evil. They rejected Jesus were not evil. They weren't bad. They had small ideas.

weren't bad. They had small ideas. weren't bad. They had small ideas. And they couldn't really envision a way And they couldn't really envision a way And they couldn't really envision a way that their ideas could get bigger. So, that their ideas could get bigger. So, that their ideas could get bigger. So, they see this guy that carved stone with they see this guy that carved stone with they see this guy that carved stone with them, pounded nails next to them, ate at them, pounded nails next to them, ate at them, pounded nails next to them, ate at their tables, worshipped in the their tables, worshipped in the their tables, worshipped in the synagogue and grew up with them, and synagogue and grew up with them, and synagogue and grew up with them, and they can't imagine how one of them they can't imagine how one of them they can't imagine how one of them has become something beyond them. has become something beyond them. has become something beyond them. And so, they missed what was happening. And so, they missed what was happening. And so, they missed what was happening. And I wonder too often if we do that. And I wonder too often if we do that. And I wonder too often if we do that. Like if we miss what's happening in Like if we miss what's happening in Like if we miss what's happening in other people because we have created in other people because we have created in other people because we have created in our minds some idea about who they were, our minds some idea about who they were, our minds some idea about who they were, how they acted, and that is what we have how they acted, and that is what we have how they acted, and that is what we have permanently assigned them. Maybe we've permanently assigned them. Maybe we've permanently assigned them. Maybe we've even built a wall up between us and them even built a wall up between us and them even built a wall up between us and them and we've said it's to protect us or to and we've said it's to protect us or to and we've said it's to protect us or to protect them, but that wall prevents us protect them, but that wall prevents us protect them, but that wall prevents us from seeing the ways that they have from seeing the ways that they have from seeing the ways that they have changed. changed. changed. I wonder this morning if there is I wonder this morning if there is I wonder this morning if there is someone in your life that you might someone in your life that you might someone in your life that you might think about think about think about that your familiarity has blinded you to that your familiarity has blinded you to that your familiarity has blinded you to them. You're so sure that you know them.

them. You're so sure that you know them. them. You're so sure that you know them. I think familiarity often masquerades as I think familiarity often masquerades as I think familiarity often masquerades as knowledge that we stop looking because knowledge that we stop looking because knowledge that we stop looking because we are convinced that we already know we are convinced that we already know we are convinced that we already know someone. Is it a child? One of your someone. Is it a child? One of your someone. Is it a child? One of your children that did dumb stuff, but they children that did dumb stuff, but they children that did dumb stuff, but they have changed and you can't see it? have changed and you can't see it? have changed and you can't see it? Is it a spouse that disappointed you, Is it a spouse that disappointed you, Is it a spouse that disappointed you, but they've done the work and you still but they've done the work and you still but they've done the work and you still have a wall up? have a wall up? have a wall up? Is it a co-worker? Is it someone in this Is it a co-worker? Is it someone in this Is it a co-worker? Is it someone in this church community? Is it someone in your church community? Is it someone in your church community? Is it someone in your neighborhood that you refuse to see neighborhood that you refuse to see neighborhood that you refuse to see something might be different in them something might be different in them something might be different in them because you're so familiar with what because you're so familiar with what because you're so familiar with what they have been. We, like the people in Nazareth, can We, like the people in Nazareth, can miss the incredible transformative work miss the incredible transformative work miss the incredible transformative work that only God can do in people if we are that only God can do in people if we are that only God can do in people if we are convinced that we already know what convinced that we already know what convinced that we already know what they're like. they're like. they're like. If we are convinced that there is If we are convinced that there is If we are convinced that there is nothing good that can come out of them.

So, what do we do with this? With this So, what do we do with this? With this knowledge that maybe we are carrying knowledge that maybe we are carrying knowledge that maybe we are carrying grief because we have changed and people grief because we have changed and people grief because we have changed and people can't see us as different or maybe there can't see us as different or maybe there can't see us as different or maybe there are people that have changed and we're are people that have changed and we're are people that have changed and we're struggling to see it. struggling to see it. struggling to see it. The first place we take our cues from The first place we take our cues from The first place we take our cues from Jesus and what he did and didn't do. Jesus and what he did and didn't do. Jesus and what he did and didn't do. What he didn't do is crumble in front of What he didn't do is crumble in front of What he didn't do is crumble in front of them. them. them. When they rejected him, Jesus didn't try When they rejected him, Jesus didn't try When they rejected him, Jesus didn't try to make a case where he read out his to make a case where he read out his to make a case where he read out his resume or his CV in the front of the resume or his CV in the front of the resume or his CV in the front of the synagogue and said, "But I'm worthy." He synagogue and said, "But I'm worthy." He synagogue and said, "But I'm worthy." He didn't fall apart. What he did do was he didn't fall apart. What he did do was he didn't fall apart. What he did do was he stayed faithful to his ministry. stayed faithful to his ministry. stayed faithful to his ministry. And some of us know that that And some of us know that that And some of us know that that faithfulness looks like staying put in faithfulness looks like staying put in faithfulness looks like staying put in our hometown, in the place where we were our hometown, in the place where we were our hometown, in the place where we were planted, in the place of our past trauma planted, in the place of our past trauma planted, in the place of our past trauma or scandal or shame. We stay in the or scandal or shame. We stay in the or scandal or shame. We stay in the middle of it, and God has rooted us middle of it, and God has rooted us middle of it, and God has rooted us there, and we don't really always know there, and we don't really always know there, and we don't really always know why. why. why. And we can struggle with that because we And we can struggle with that because we And we can struggle with that because we just think we're a product of that just think we're a product of that just think we're a product of that place, but I want to tell you you might place, but I want to tell you you might place, but I want to tell you you might be rooted there because God has you as be rooted there because God has you as be rooted there because God has you as an agent of transformation.

an agent of transformation. an agent of transformation. Because you can show redemption, because Because you can show redemption, because Because you can show redemption, because there is something new that God is doing there is something new that God is doing there is something new that God is doing through you, and that other people might through you, and that other people might through you, and that other people might only see it if you can live into that only see it if you can live into that only see it if you can live into that call to stay rooted and be that agent of call to stay rooted and be that agent of call to stay rooted and be that agent of transformation. transformation. transformation. And some of you have been pulled away, And some of you have been pulled away, And some of you have been pulled away, and you know that the calling, the thing and you know that the calling, the thing and you know that the calling, the thing that God calls you to in faithfulness, that God calls you to in faithfulness, that God calls you to in faithfulness, is to leave. Five verses after this is to leave. Five verses after this is to leave. Five verses after this passage, Jesus tells the disciples, "Go passage, Jesus tells the disciples, "Go passage, Jesus tells the disciples, "Go out into the towns and preach the gospel out into the towns and preach the gospel out into the towns and preach the gospel and teach and heal people, and if you and teach and heal people, and if you and teach and heal people, and if you are rejected, then kick the dust off of are rejected, then kick the dust off of are rejected, then kick the dust off of your shoes and go and move on to another your shoes and go and move on to another your shoes and go and move on to another town." And so for some of us, town." And so for some of us, town." And so for some of us, that faithfulness has looked like that faithfulness has looked like that faithfulness has looked like kicking the dust off of our shoes and kicking the dust off of our shoes and kicking the dust off of our shoes and not staying. not staying. not staying. Have you ever had the experience of Have you ever had the experience of Have you ever had the experience of being in front of a vending machine and being in front of a vending machine and being in front of a vending machine and putting the numbers in and the money and putting the numbers in and the money and putting the numbers in and the money and then nothing comes out, and you're then nothing comes out, and you're then nothing comes out, and you're convinced that maybe you did something convinced that maybe you did something convinced that maybe you did something wrong, so you put more money in and wrong, so you put more money in and wrong, so you put more money in and touch more numbers, and nothing comes touch more numbers, and nothing comes touch more numbers, and nothing comes out? And then you're kind of left being out? And then you're kind of left being out? And then you're kind of left being like, "Am I doing it wrong again, or do like, "Am I doing it wrong again, or do like, "Am I doing it wrong again, or do I need to leave this vending machine, I need to leave this vending machine, I need to leave this vending machine, right?" And you decide to walk away right?" And you decide to walk away right?" And you decide to walk away because you know you're not going to get because you know you're not going to get because you know you're not going to get anything out of it. That um anything out of it. That um anything out of it. That um sometimes dusting off our shoes is not sometimes dusting off our shoes is not sometimes dusting off our shoes is not abandonment, but it is a recognition of abandonment, but it is a recognition of abandonment, but it is a recognition of the lack of fertile ground, the lack of the lack of fertile ground, the lack of the lack of fertile ground, the lack of getting something out of it. In the getting something out of it. In the getting something out of it. In the scripture that was read this morning, it scripture that was read this morning, it scripture that was read this morning, it says um that Jesus could do no uh few says um that Jesus could do no uh few says um that Jesus could do no uh few deeds of power there and very few

deeds of power there and very few deeds of power there and very few healings because of their unbelief. healings because of their unbelief. healings because of their unbelief. That there was not fertile ground for That there was not fertile ground for That there was not fertile ground for him. And so, he dusted his shoes off and him. And so, he dusted his shoes off and him. And so, he dusted his shoes off and that was his act of faithfulness is just that was his act of faithfulness is just that was his act of faithfulness is just keep going, but in a different place. keep going, but in a different place. keep going, but in a different place. And that line between staying and going And that line between staying and going And that line between staying and going is thin. is thin. is thin. And it's fine. And you have to really And it's fine. And you have to really And it's fine. And you have to really really prayerfully discern whether or really prayerfully discern whether or really prayerfully discern whether or not you are being called by God to stay not you are being called by God to stay not you are being called by God to stay in this hometown, this home community in this hometown, this home community in this hometown, this home community that formed you even as you are that formed you even as you are that formed you even as you are something new something new something new or if it is time for you to go. or if it is time for you to go. or if it is time for you to go. And the questions that you need to ask And the questions that you need to ask And the questions that you need to ask yourself is am I staying out of yourself is am I staying out of yourself is am I staying out of faithfulness or faithfulness or faithfulness or out of fear of something new? out of fear of something new? out of fear of something new? Am I leaving because it's the courageous Am I leaving because it's the courageous Am I leaving because it's the courageous thing to do or am I leaving because I am thing to do or am I leaving because I am thing to do or am I leaving because I am being cowardly? being cowardly? being cowardly? And I can't answer these questions and And I can't answer these questions and And I can't answer these questions and you can't answer them for each other. We you can't answer them for each other. We you can't answer them for each other. We can only answer them for ourselves when can only answer them for ourselves when can only answer them for ourselves when we have discerned that with God. But we have discerned that with God. But we have discerned that with God. But these are questions we have to ask these are questions we have to ask these are questions we have to ask ourselves.

God chose a small God chose a small overlooked nothing town to inhabit with overlooked nothing town to inhabit with overlooked nothing town to inhabit with his presence for 30 years. his presence for 30 years. his presence for 30 years. God looks at us in all of our small God looks at us in all of our small God looks at us in all of our small overlooked nothing places overlooked nothing places overlooked nothing places and inhabits us and inhabits us and inhabits us and gives us worth. I wonder often like what would I have I wonder often like what would I have done if I had been there 2,000 years ago done if I had been there 2,000 years ago done if I had been there 2,000 years ago on that Sabbath morning? Would I have on that Sabbath morning? Would I have on that Sabbath morning? Would I have heard what Jesus was saying and even in heard what Jesus was saying and even in heard what Jesus was saying and even in my shock, would I have said, "I'm going my shock, would I have said, "I'm going my shock, would I have said, "I'm going to follow him. He must be right." to follow him. He must be right." to follow him. He must be right." Or would I have been like the crowds Or would I have been like the crowds Or would I have been like the crowds and said, and said, and said, "I don't know what he's talking about. "I don't know what he's talking about. "I don't know what he's talking about. He's He's lost it. He's crazy." He's He's lost it. He's crazy." He's He's lost it. He's crazy." I don't We'll never know. I wasn't I don't We'll never know. I wasn't I don't We'll never know. I wasn't there. there. there. I don't have that opportunity. I don't have that opportunity. I don't have that opportunity. But I do know that every single day But I do know that every single day But I do know that every single day for my life, I can get up and decide for my life, I can get up and decide for my life, I can get up and decide that I'm going to follow Jesus now. That that I'm going to follow Jesus now. That that I'm going to follow Jesus now. That I can make that commitment over and over I can make that commitment over and over I can make that commitment over and over again. And part of that commitment looks again. And part of that commitment looks again. And part of that commitment looks like the faithfulness of of um like the faithfulness of of um like the faithfulness of of um of recognizing in myself and others of recognizing in myself and others of recognizing in myself and others that God can be transformative for us.

that God can be transformative for us. that God can be transformative for us. And that God's And that God's And that God's um love and grace rest in us and gives um love and grace rest in us and gives um love and grace rest in us and gives us all worth. God, I God, I pray that you would be with us on this pray that you would be with us on this pray that you would be with us on this uphill climb to recognize with new eyes uphill climb to recognize with new eyes uphill climb to recognize with new eyes um and get out of the familiarity that um and get out of the familiarity that um and get out of the familiarity that blinds us. All of the things that you blinds us. All of the things that you blinds us. All of the things that you have done in our lives and in others. have done in our lives and in others. have done in our lives and in others. The ways that we have changed and grown. The ways that we have changed and grown. The ways that we have changed and grown. I pray that every single day you would I pray that every single day you would I pray that every single day you would make us more and more like you make us more and more like you make us more and more like you that we might live and love like Jesus that we might live and love like Jesus that we might live and love like Jesus so that other people would come to know so that other people would come to know so that other people would come to know you through us. you through us. you through us. And that we might grow in our faith as And that we might grow in our faith as And that we might grow in our faith as we come to know new things about you we come to know new things about you we come to know new things about you through other people. through other people. through other people. We love you and we pray this in your We love you and we pray this in your We love you and we pray this in your name. name. name. Amen.