Jesus Wanted
Art Young, 1917

My dear friends,

In Luke 4:21-30, Jesus in his hometown synagogue unrolls a scroll and reads from the Prophet Isaiah. After reading, He announces, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Yet His town's people, knowing Him as the carpenter's son, question His authority and eventually try to throw Him off a cliff.

From a Buddhist perspective, we may glean valuable insights from this account. Even though our traditions may be different, we can learn from each other, since at the core, we all seek a path to alleviating suffering, fostering compassion, and achieving inner peace.

Firstly, Jesus's actions show us the courage and determination to speak our truth, even when faced with disbelief or hostility. He knew the truth of His mission, His realization, and did not hesitate to share it. This is akin to our journey in seeking enlightenment, where we strive to understand and live by our truths, regardless of outer circumstances or criticism.

However, it also illustrates how our perceptions are often clouded by our preconceived notions and biases. The townsfolk knew Jesus as Joseph's son, a carpenter, and could not perceive Him as anything beyond that. This reminds us of the concept of 'emptiness' in Buddhism, which refers not to nothingness but to the absence of inherent existence. Things, and indeed people, are not independent, unchanging entities but rather exist in relation to other things. So too, Jesus was not only a carpenter but also a spiritual teacher and a manifestation of the divine, just as we are not merely our roles, but capable of great change for better or worse.

As we find in the Dhammapada, "We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think." The people's thoughts were restricted, and so their perception of Jesus was limited. They could not see beyond their expectations, causing them to reject His wisdom. This teaches us the importance of maintaining an open mind and heart, free from prejudices, to truly see and appreciate the interconnected nature of life and the boundless potential in ourselves and others.

Finally, let us reflect on the reaction of the crowd, which escalated to violent intentions. This is a stark reminder of the destructive power of anger and ignorance. When we are led by these negative emotions, we act in ways that bring harm to ourselves and others. The Buddha taught that anger is like holding a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. We should, therefore, strive to cultivate patience, understanding, and loving-kindness, responding not with anger but with compassion when confronted with differing views.

In summary, Luke 4:21-30 offers universal lessons. It teaches us to courageously live our truth, to perceive without bias, and to react with compassion rather than anger. Regardless of our spiritual path, let us strive to internalize these teachings, for they lead to a more harmonious and peaceful existence.

May you be well, happy, and peaceful. May no harm come to you, may no difficulties come to you, and may you always meet with spiritual success.