The Hometown

I was not raised in McMinnville as many of you know. I was born and raised in a town that was small when I was a child but is growing bigger each year. Every time I go back home, I see evidence of my small hometown. I also see things that are new and remind me more of a big city than I would like to remember.

Each town has a culture. McMinnville has a culture that many who are from here or have been around for more than a couple of decades knows. It could be the nurseries, or the numerous Mexican restaurant that many will call to mind.

Each town has its stories. Others will state the year of Football championships or when our own Carol Hamblen rocks the political climate by being the first and only female County Executive. Also serving as School Superintendent at the time was the legendary Pedro Paz. While they were both serving, a mysterious strong smell fell over the high school and many students got sick. No one, even people from Washington DC and Seattle could not figure it out. Pedro blamed it on Godzilla burping, which was recorded on the news.

The smaller the town, the more the people know each other and the stories.

Those who are not from this town has likely heard things like, “you are not from around here are you?” Or “Wait, where are you from?” Sometimes, those questions can seem like an insult, like we saying someone is a foreigner and doesn’t belong. But in a small town, everyone knows everyone and knows everyone’s business.

Pray and Read Matthew 2:1-6

Matthew 2:1–6 NRSV

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

I find it interesting that Herod had to call all the chief priests and the scribes together to get the answer about where the Messiah would be born? I think it is because they had to do just a little bit of research to find the answer. There may have been a scribe who remembered where he had read it before, but they needed confirmation. King Herod wanted to know for sure where he needed to send his solders to look for his rival.

Where did this prophecy come from? Or better question to ask, why was this not known? I mean if the Israelite people where looking for a Messiah, wouldn’t they start looking where they heard He would first show up? Well, when it is stated by a minor prophet that He would show up in a small town, it becomes easier to forget.

Let’s Read Micah 5:2-4

Micah 5:2–4 NRSV

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth;

So the Messiah would be born in a small town that was not as important as Jerusalem. Jerusalem seemed to be the best place for the King of Israel to be born, right? I mean think about it. Where else is the next king or queen typically born? In England, the royal family have a certain hospital near the palace they always go to. For the king of England to be born in, say some town in Ireland, would just never happen. However, God doesn’t always go along with our human normality or ideals. We will remember that the Messiah was prophesied to come from the lineage of David, but even King David reigned in Jerusalem. I guess it is easy to forget where you come from when you are famous and powerful.

Even more interesting though, is in this passage, it doesn’t say that the King or Messiah would rule with a mighty sword. No, it says that He would be like a Shepherd who would stand for His flock and feed his flock with strength and majesty. Majesty is a royal word, but not often associated with shepherds however.

So the King would be like a shepherd? In some ways, a shepherd is a great leader, for sheep. But for a people like Israel that have strived with God and people, fighting long and hard battles, they don’t want a lowly shepherd, they want a might king.

But again, what we think makes someone important, isn’t always what God thinks makes a person important. And who is to say God would not send the Messiah to be born in a small town anyways? God does not look on a person, or a place, as we would. Outward appearances mean next to nothing to God, but the heart means everything.

Bethlehem is a small town in the region of Ephrathah which is known as a small region in Judah. David was the youngest brother, who was not as powerful, handsome and smart as his older brothers, and he was definitely the smallest. Jesus, like David, was born in Bethlehem. He was also born in a manger, not a house and definitely not a palace! Do you see a pattern here? Always the smallest and the least likely. We would chose a king who is popular, wise, good wealth and success. God always goes the unlikeliest route.

I think God chooses those who are behind the scenes, the hidden ones to do the best work. God can do a lot with someone who is humble and willing to take a step back, risking all their notoriety and control. When we stop trying to do what we want or think is best, or what expecting things to be the way we want them to be, it leaves room for the unexpected to happen. When we are not teaching from our own knowledge, when we are not speaking from our own power and plans, miracles happen. Humility is truly loosing all success, loosing our titles and leadership statuses, and being willing to be used in whatever way God asks, even if it means that we can’t be in charge of something we want anymore. Being from a small town should teach us that even the smallest of things are important to God. The smallest of places can be the center for revival. The least known and expected person can be the most filled with God’s wisdom and grace.

What if it is in those moments when we are not seen or we are not doing everything to be seen that God can use us the most? Maybe when we take a step back and stay in the background, God will move in a mightier way? What if being small, means that we can do more? What if we less we have, or the less we lead, allows God to lead in our place? What if a change in our responsibilities doesn’t take things away from us, but actually gives us more blessings in the long run? What if worrying about who is doing what and instead look for where God moving helps us more? Who are we ignoring that God might be using? Maybe being small, or from a small town is a good thing?

In the Name of God the Father, our Savior Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.