Where is Galilee?

Reflection on the opening paragraph of Mark (1.1-11)

When we notice that this is the first paragraph of the first of the
gospels to be written, it may be a bit of a surprise. The "beginning
of the Good News of Jesus, the Christ" begins with John the Baptist.
Only then does the focus turns to Jesus, who "came from Nazareth in
Galilee".

What is surprising is that Mark introduces Jesus with NO reference to
Bethlehem or angels, none to angels or magi, not even a mention of
Mary. Mark, tells us simply, "... Jesus came from Nazareth of
Galilee..."

Well, what about Galilee? Hymns and Sunday School suggest a quiet,
pastoral countryside. A biblical geography book shows it is located
North of Jerusalem and Judea, about 800 square miles of gently
rolling hills, good for pastures and small farms, with a number of
villages and towns (including Nazareth, Capernaum, and Cana), and one
major city. And a lake, which supported a small fishing industry,
and upon which sudden storms were known to arise.

Three of the gospel writers tell us that the adult Jesus spent his
entire ministry in Galilee, before heading for Jerusalem. His
disciples were gathered from the people of Galilee, and the sermon on
the mount, or on the plain, was preached there.

The scriptures also point to another aspect of Galilee, related to
this "pastoral" image. John tells us that, when Nathaniel hears
about Jesus, he asks, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth? No
doubt, he is quoting a local proverb, or prejudice. Centuries
earlier, the prophet Isaiah spoke of "Galilee of the Gentiles",
meaning that (after the reign of King Solomon), it was occupied by
foreigners, and was "outside" the mainstream of Judaism.

Outside the main stream. That is the point. Galilee was the
backwater, the backwoods. For the urban sophisticates of Jerusalem,
Galileans were sneered at, as country bumpkins. (Well!, I mean, you
couldn't possibly find a Starbucks out THERE!)

Mark then goes on to tell of the ministry of this small town, unknown
Jesus. A ministry mostly to rural and small town people:
unsophisticated, poor, many of them outcasts, and shunned by the
higher levels of society. Shunned, because of illness, or otherwise
failing to meet the official standards of moral purity. People who
were crushed by the systems and structures and attitudes of the
leaders in Jerusalem. And when Jesus did speak to the wealthy, and
the religious leaders, he was clear about the danger they were in
because of their wealth, or position, or the unwavering certainty of
their opinions.

Jesus came with a proclamation, and a ministry of INTEGRITY and
acceptance for the despised and outcast; and a message of WHOLENESS
for the broken. A ministry that led him, eventually, to
confrontation in the city. We know what happened there.

Now, we notice how Mark ENDS his gospel. Again, there are elements
familiar to us that are NOT in Mark's story. There are NO
resurrection appearances; there is NO glorified, authoritative
Jesus, telling his disciples to "go into all the world". Notice the
last few sentences of Mark, what the frightened women at the tomb,
looking for the body of Jesus, are told:
... you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who
was crucified. He has been raised; he is not
here. ... But go, tell his disciples, and
Peter, that he is going ahead of you, to
GALILEE: THERE you will see him, just as he
told you.

The followers of Jesus are told to look for him IN GALILEE. Not in
Jerusalem, the centre of political and religious power, but in the
hills of Galilee. That is to say, at HOME.

That is where we will find him. THAT is where the risen Jesus is to
be found; and that is where OUR ministry is to take place; in our
own homes, and our other workplaces.

Look for him there; He has gone ahead of us, there.


- Bryson