If your thought is “Jesus” when reading “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” you are correct! This is the question that is asked when Phillip tries to show Nathanael Jesus Christ. From our gospel lesson this coming Sunday (the lesson I will not be preaching on) we know Nazareth doesn’t have a dazzling reputation. It echos a similar sentiment when in the gospel of Matthew Jesus is preaching in Nazareth, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary?” as the people of Nazareth could not compute how someone as awesome as Jesus could come from Joseph and Mary. Apparently, Jesus is not only from a non-noteworthy town; within the town, he is not from a family of good reputation.
I think we all need this to be true right now - that Jesus Christ does not come from a city as glamorous as New York, or a family as prestigious as the Bezoses or the Musks. I need goodness to come from unexpected places and peoples. I need God incarnate to come from Appalachia, the rust belt, and “the hood.” I want Jesus to come from low places, especially when I feel as if I am in a low place, or when we are in low places.
And indeed, he does. My boyfriend and I are black sheep in our families for the simple fact that we have moved away from home. Justin’s entire family lives on the same street in King’s Mountain, Kentucky, but he packed his bags for Louisville and insists on living in a city. I am the only person I can think of on my mother’s entire side of the family that has moved out of state, as her family resides in the south end of Louisville or western Kentucky. And I will probably be the only member of the family that will continue to live out of state as my career evolves with time.
It can be perceived as leaving one’s roots to be somewhere bigger, better, or more promising. It can even feel like a rejection. Yet, we know there is so much goodness in Appalachia. The breathtaking mountains are filled with string music, and if you know someone - easy access to homemade moonshine (one of Justin’s Christmas gifts). Kentucky is the land of bourbon and more bourbon, my papaw’s overalls, and my mamaw’s cooking. We “don’t wear shoes” as the endless jokes and second thoughts roll on, but Jesus comes from places like Kentucky, “dying” rust belt cities, and low-income neighborhoods. Jesus comes from farming, coal mining, and factory working. There are goodness and beauty in the undervalued low places and unseen people.
Look for God where there is no expectation to find Him. See Her where others choose not to go. God is there.
Blessed by the low places,
Alec Brock, Seminary Intern
he/him/his