Smart leaders prepare a new manifesto, make passionate speeches and do anything to win the acclaim of people. Jesus did the opposite. He quoted an old Isaiah manifesto, made a simple speech and never watered down anything to fit the mould of people. Clearly, Jesus’ focus was on being a good leader never an ambitious one.

Yet, His goodness was often sidelined, especially by His own people. In the Gospel of today, we see the fickleness of the human heart. As long as the Nazarenes heard a message and saw signs that enamoured them, they were ‘astonished by Jesus’ graciousness’. But the moment Jesus refused to give in to their demand for more flamboyance — in an attempt to further their quest for God — their astonishment turned into rage, almost instantly.

Jesus came, as St. Paul says, to preach of the power of the Cross. Miracles are merely a gateway to the power of God — a power that moves away from wonder-working to the wonder of redemption?

Where do we push our journey with Jesus towards — the cliff or the Cross?

Do we go with Jesus to the Cross, or with those who would rid themselves of Him at the edge of a cliff?