The folks in Jesus’ hometown give him a hard time. They are offended because one so familiar to them presumes to teach such astonishing things.

Sometimes we get the impression that Jesus is plain unstoppable. Angels wait on him in the desert. Wind and sea obey him. He walks on water when it suits him. Demons cut and run at his command. He can invite 5,000 friends over and not worry about having enough food.

He left there and returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. “We had no idea he was this good!” they said. “How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?”

“You’re a lawyer?!” I say to Geoff. By the look on his face, there was too much astonishment in my voice, and I immediately try to smooth over my reaction. “That’s impressive,” I say cheerfully. “Must be rewarding.”

"What on earth are you talking about?” Linda demanded of her 5-year-old, Hanna. The little girl had been going on and on about her new puppy, the one she’d just gotten for her birthday. “It only turns right,” she reiterated to her confused mother.

Laura was on a crowded subway train one morning, sipping a coffee and enjoying her morning newspaper. She noticed a pregnant woman standing in the aisle. Laura offered her seat. “I’m pregnant, not disabled,” the indignant woman huffed.

For the times we have not listened to and followed the Lord, we pray for forgiveness.

For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.