I have preached this text before and noted how it confirms who Jesus is. For some reason this year, as I thought about preaching this on Jan. 1, the day we make New Year's resolutions, it occurred to me merely eight days after this unexpected, improbable birth, Jesus' parents are abiding by the rules. Eight days after the miraculous, everything is getting put back into its proper place and all the "i"s are being dotted and "t"s crossed.
Is Jesus the radical one who calls us to a new way? Or will the institution tame him? round one seemed to go to the institution. Of course, we might also note that Jesus works from the inside -- he is one of them, some even argue he was trained as a Pharisee. But, he is also the one who pushes people beyond the norms.
I suspect most of us tend to like things neat and orderly (we are Presbyterian, after all). We sort of like the rules, especially if we are the ones who make and enforce them. How do we follow the Christ, who continually seems to push beyond the rules and expectations?
It has me thinking that maybe part of my New Year's resolution ought include a little subversion!
Peace,
Richard
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