Matthew 13:47-58
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.
“Yes,” they replied.
52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
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, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. [1]
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What is striking is the lack of honor shown to Jesus in his hometown. It was such that He wouldn’t do many miracles there. He wasn’t about to put on a dazzle show to win over people who were not open to His message.
Sometimes the hardest witness task is witnessing to the unbelieving people who know us best, or who grow up with us, or to whom we are still connected by family ties. As was the case in Jesus’ hometown, the hometown people just saw the kid that grew up in Mary and Joseph’s house. They couldn’t get past the identity that they had already assigned Him, and it did not include prophet. They didn’t need to listen to Joseph’s son. After all, he was just an apprentice carpenter.
It’s hard when our witness is not respected by people we are connected to. It’s even harder when not only is there no honor for the message, but also for us as the message-bearers. But when that is the case, we are in good company. For such was Jesus’ experience as well.
What is comforting and empowering to remember, though, is that although we would like to be honored by people, it is more important and blessed to live so as to honor God as a faithful witness. As disciples, we are not to base our actions and decisions on seeking the approval of people, but rather to live in such a way that brings honor to God, and His approval as His follower.
Lord Jesus, lead me to trust in You and find comfort in You when others reject my witness. Help me to live my witness in such a way that it brings honor to You above all.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Mt 13:47–58). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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