Without Honor

12. December 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Our text for today is:

Matthew 13:53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 ”Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

 In our discussion today, Jesus has finished his series of parables concerning the “kingdom of heaven”   and he returns to his home town and begin teaching in the synagogue.   His hometown people were amazed at his wisdom but because they had grown up with him and knew his mother and father and siblings they could not accept his anointing, authority or the office he walked in.   They would not accept him as the “son of God” but reduced him to being just “the carpenter’s son.”  This text does give us some insight into the family members of Jesus.  We know that his brothers are named James, Joseph, Simon and Judas and he has sisters which are unnamed in this text.   

Because the community knew Jesus they questioned where he could have gotten all this wisdom and knowledge from and they took offense at him.  The text teaches that Jesus did not do many miracles in his hometown because of  their lack of faith and because they honored him not as a prophet.    Jesus teaches that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.   One of the most difficult things with embracing the anointing and gifts of men and women of God is the familiarity factor.   People can become too familiar with spiritual leaders to the point where we start doubting their abilities and questioning their talents.    This type of mindset limits what you can receive from them. 

Sometimes we can be in situations where we are the major hindrances to our blessings because of how we view our leaders.   They can become so common to us that we start to neglect the words of God that is coming from their lips to provide healing for our souls.    Jesus was known at this point in history as a miracle worker.  He had cast out demons, raised the dead, and healed the sick countless times but in his hometown they doubted and because of lack of faith he could not perform many miracles. 

Just a quick note today for us all to analyze the relationships of the people of God that speak into our lives and how we view them.   Our blessing could be right in front of us and we could be too familiar with it to recognize that they are the ones God is using at this season in our lives.    Stay encouraged!!!! 

All is well, everything is safe, and everything is as it should be.

 Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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