Practicing Trouble

by Mary Luti | published on Jun 20, 2025

All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’” When they heard this, they were filled with rage. They drove him to the brow of the hill so that they might hurl him off the cliff. – Luke 4:22-23 & 28-29 (NRSVUE) 

This episode is called the ‘rejection of Jesus by his townsfolk,’ but it seems like Jesus is the one doing the rejecting. People are still complimenting him when he provokes them, “You will doubtless say, ‘Doctor, cure yourself…’”  

Well, up to this point, they hadn’t thought to say any such thing. Jesus baits them anyway. He picks the fight that makes them murderous. 

Why? The story doesn’t say, but it feels like he’s rehearsing. He knows no prophet enjoys a happy, successful career. Maybe he’s trying on his fate ahead of time so that when that time comes, it’ll feel familiar and he won’t back down. 

It’s not a bad idea to test the waters, push buttons, get a feel for the cost. Lots of us could use the practice. An Episcopal bishop I know says he finds it curious that everywhere Jesus and Paul went there were angry mobs, and everywhere he goes they serve tea.  

Jesus isn’t asking us to go out and get ourselves killed on purpose. The world needs less violence, not more. Still, if we mean business as his witnesses, the consequences won’t be benign. To be more routinely irritating and suffer the inevitable blowback might habituate us to a disciple’s fate so that when our time comes, we won’t back down, either.  

Even if all we do is notice that it’s way too quiet around here and start asking what our smooth tranquility might mean, we’d kick up enough trouble to get us started. 

Prayer
Good Troublemaker, make me more irritating in the service of the gospel, for your love’s sake. Amen.

Mary Luti About the Author
Mary Luti is a long time seminary educator and pastor, author of Teresa of Avila’s Way and numerous articles, and founding member of The Daughters of Abraham, a national network of interfaith women’s book groups.