Many of us have found that we don't have to reach old age before we begin to have that problem. Indeed we know that now is the time to set in place a whole series of records and procedures to compensate for a situation that will get worse rather than better. Of course, I am assuming that we aren't the only ones to reach the other end of the house and ask, "Now what did I come for?" Our forgettery is improving!
And, yes - what are we here for? That's a question that increases in importance as we grow through childhood and youth to adulthood. At first most of the choices of life are determined for us. We are part of a family. That gives us both nurture and security. It lays the foundation for so many aspects of life.
Then we are part of a community. That also places expectations and rules on us that enable us to participate in its life. None of us is ever free from the need to accept the reality that life in home and community lays responsibilities on us.
Here in the Burdekin, we know the benefits of life in rural Australia, centred on small country towns. People are friendly - it is possible to know just about everyone. You are a real person to the local shop-keeper. And, when someone dies, the community gathers for the funeral.
The small town is very supportive, but can also place strong expectations (even demands) on the next generation. For example, it may be taken for granted that the farmer's son will take over the farm. The baker's son will become the baker. The baker's daughter will marry the farmer's son. The plumber's son will become a plumber, and so on.
It's not as straightforward as that in today's world. Television and travel announce to young and old the big world out there. The farmer must use a computer to manage his farm. His son may want to be a computer programmer rather than a farmer. An increasing number of farmers have no one to take over the family farm when they are too old to manage it. The baker's daughter may do tertiary study in the big city, become a pharmacist, go on an overseas trip and marry a Canadian…
Young people's horizons are no longer limited to the small town. "What am I here for?" is a question with much wider implications and possibilities.
You may have seen Fiddler on the Roof as a stage-play or film. It portrays life in 1905 in an imaginary Jewish town of Anatevka in the midst of the very real problems Jews faced in Russia. Life in Anatevka is very much governed by tradition. All is well while everyone is content to fit into his/her allotted place. As the dairyman, Tevye, explains at the beginning, "Because of our traditions, we've kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka we have traditions for everything… how to eat, how to sleep, how to wear clothes… Because of our traditions, everyone knows who he is and what God expects him to do." For the sons, "At three I started Hebrew school; at ten I learned a trade. I hear they picked a bride for me; I hope she's pretty." For the daughters, "And who does Mama teach to mend and tend and fix, preparing me to marry whoever Papa picks?"
This portrayal of Anatevka helps us reflect on Jesus' visit to his home town of Nazareth.
In the synagogue it was the tradition for a man to stand while reading the Scriptures and then to sit while explaining the portion he had read. The passage Jesus chose to read was Isaiah 61.1-2 - a messianic passage. He concluded his reading with the words, "to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour" - stopping in the middle of a verse which goes on to speak of God's defeat of their enemies.
The people watched with fascination. They knew Jesus well. Everyone had heard that he had gone to John the Baptist and that he was now preaching and teaching. What would he say now? "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
The implication was clear. Jesus was claiming to be the promised Messiah who would bring in the kingdom of God for which the Jewish people had waited for so long - but this first coming was not the time for judgment. The crowd "spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words." They understood him clearly enough.
What was this "year of the Lord's favour"? The Messiah would be especially anointed by the Holy Spirit - and Jesus is the Messiah! His ministry will bring help and comfort to many people - "good news to the poor", "freedom to the prisoners", "recovery of sight for the blind" and freedom for "the oppressed".
In recent times some have suggested that God has a preference for the poor. But this misses the point that the good news is for all - "from the least to the greatest" (as in Jeremiah 31.34) - none need be excluded. In practice it was the poor who received him gladly (note Luke 7.22-23). Very often it was the known sinners who were willing to repent and believe the good news (Matthew 21.31-32).
For the captives he announces "freedom". The Greek word doesn't simply mean "release" from bondage, but also "forgiveness" of sins. To the blind is offered not just the restoration of physical sight, but healing from spiritual blindness (note John 9.35-41). For the oppressed (literally "the shattered, the downtrodden") there will also be "release" / "forgiveness".
The time has come when the Lord will save his people - it is the year of the Lord's favour.
Every seven years (a sabbath of years) the land was to be given a rest. Every fifty years (after a sabbath of sabbath years) there was a year of Jubilee. It was to be a year of liberty. Land that had been bought was to be returned to its original owners and all Israelite slaves were to be freed.
But this promised "year of the Lord's favour" wouldn't be a periodic event. It is the continuing character of the Messiah's Kingdom. "Today this scripture is fulfilled" - from now on the messianic Kingdom is here! Repent and believe the good news.
But Jesus was in Nazareth, his home town - his Anatevka. There should be no disturbance of the local structures - the tradition. We don't mind him doing some miracles here to put us on the map, but he had better not put us on the mat!
Many of us would like to be "affirmed" - when our great need is to repent and be forgiven. Jesus has come to bring forgiveness. In him the year of the Lord's favour has arrived. How do we respond to his gracious word?
For thirty years Jesus had submitted himself to be part of the Nazareth community, but his life and life's work couldn't be circumscribed by that community.
As those who have become part of his Kingdom by repentance and faith, we cannot be circumscribed by the traditions and expectations of the communities in which we live. That isn't to say that everyone is to go out as a preacher. Most Kingdom-people will take their place in "ordinary" community jobs. Yet on them also rests the Spirit and anointing of the Lord - his call to bring "good news to the poor… to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed and proclaim that the year of the Lord's favour."
It sounds a tall order. And for the disciples it couldn't begin until after crucifixion, resurrection and Pentecost. There are, of course, details to work out in terms of our own community and neighbours and friends…
But - do you know what you're here for?
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