Mark 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Oh Friends, it’s been the best day so far! I went out in shirtsleeves, had to roll down my car windows, because it was actually hot in there. Is that a portent of good things to come for this summer? I certainly hope so, for I can’t handle too much of this in between, uncertain weather. Unfortunately, Jesus’ homecoming wasn’t so hot. After traipsing around the country preaching and healing, Jesus finally arrives back at His hometown of Nazareth with His disciples in tow. Wonder of wonders! On the Sabbath day, He gets up in the synagogue and begins to teach. What’s the reaction? ‘And many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Judah, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.’ (Mark 6:2-3) Ah mih people, what a sad state of affairs when your own doesn’t receive you kindly. Instead of being proud that one of their own local lads had moved up in the world, so to speak, they were offended by him. Hn! Because He had grown up an ordinary lad in an ordinary household in an ordinary town, the great learning he now expounded, and the great works He did seemed to be above His local, ordinary status. In simple terms, they just could not believe or accept that one of them could rise to such lofty heights. And isn’t that a common tale all over the globe? When the local person comes back home a hero or celebrity, many of the townsfolk usually look askance at them with doubt and disbelief at their accomplishments. But as always, Jesus rose above the situation, simply informing them that ‘A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin (family), and in his own house.’ Now that’s the gospel truth mih people! A lot of famous, high profile personalities aren’t considered important, or as important by their own town’s people, friends and families. That can possibly be explained by a number of reasons. The first is jealousy, especially if you’re from a real dirt poor or ostracized family and are now hobnobbing with the rich and famous. Many will still look down on you, judging you from your old status, not willing to accept and appreciate how far you’ve come. There is also the matter of familiarity, which they say breeds contempt. Now it doesn’t always do that, but it does rub off some of the shine from our golden public glow or image. If your family and friends first knew you as an ordinary, down to earth person, and when you come home you behave the same way, it’s hard for them to get caught up in your public persona. If, on the other hand, you’ve acquired new airs and graces, then they will also ignore you and possibly tear you down a peg or two. We find that kind of thing a lot amongst the children of famous, powerful people, where they don’t look upon their parents as anything special, just parents, old fashioned too, while the rest of the world is beating a path to their door, singing their praises and keeping them in the spotlight. I’ve experienced this firsthand. Over the years I’ve been involved in a few things that have raised my profile a little in the community, no real celebrity stuff, but just different and unusual to some of my children’s friends, who, because of that, taught I was cool and important. Hn! But my wonderful children just shrugged their shoulders and waved off their friends admiration with a nonchalant; ‘Oh that’s just daddy doing his thing.’ What I was doing was no big deal to them because they were accustomed to it. And I’m sure they’ll react the same way when the Bit and all the other things I have planned make a big splash around the world. (smile) Now that’s with the Lord’s help obviously. And though I’m a background person by nature, I always seem to end up in the spotlight. I guess that’s just the Lord’s doing too. I can handle my work being famous, but would rather avoid the celebrity nonsense attached, although to some extent, one does come with the other. Anyway Friends, it’s sad, but generally true that those we expect to derive the most pleasure from our successes are often less than impressed, and not overly thrilled either. I’m sure although Jesus rationalized the situation, He was rather disappointed that His own did not receive Him with open, welcoming arms, but took offence to His godly gifts and teaching. And not surprisingly, from that unbelief in Nazareth arose direct negative consequences. Why? Because Jesus didn’t do much constructive work in the area. ‘And he could there do no mighty work, save (except) that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.’ (Mark 6:5) Imagine that nuh. In yuh own hometown you do the least work. And it’s not because Jesus lost His ability to perform miracles, but per the scholars; ‘But rather he finds contempt and hardness of heart, which are the antithesis of receptivity and faith. Under such circumstances, further disclosure of God’s presence in His Messiah is denied.’ Yes mih people, it’s just a sad fact of life, but it still shook up Jesus some. Mark says: ‘And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching.’ ( Mark 6:6) The resistance to Jesus in His own area was truly amazing, but also tragic, for they were denied the bounty of His teaching and good works, all because they were so hard hearted and reluctant to receive one of their own who had risen above His ordinary circumstances. The other villages round about benefitted because they were at least willing to listen and consider His wonderful words. Oh Friends, please let’s not be like that. We don’t have to grovel and fall all over our hometown people that have made good, but we must show some appreciation for their success, since that never comes without some hard work, pain and suffering. Instead of hard heartedness, let’s show some LOVE and understanding, as Jesus would have us do. Much LOVE!…And blessed is he…whosoever shall not be offended in me…(Mat.11:16)
Oh Friends, it’s been the best day so far! I went out in shirtsleeves, had to roll down my car windows, because it was actually hot in there. Is that a portent of good things to come for this summer? I certainly hope so, for I can’t handle too much of this in between, uncertain weather. Unfortunately, Jesus’ homecoming wasn’t so hot. After traipsing around the country preaching and healing, Jesus finally arrives back at His hometown of Nazareth with His disciples in tow. Wonder of wonders! On the Sabbath day, He gets up in the synagogue and begins to teach. What’s the reaction? ‘And many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Judah, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.’ (Mark 6:2-3) Ah mih people, what a sad state of affairs when your own doesn’t receive you kindly. Instead of being proud that one of their own local lads had moved up in the world, so to speak, they were offended by him. Hn! Because He had grown up an ordinary lad in an ordinary household in an ordinary town, the great learning he now expounded, and the great works He did seemed to be above His local, ordinary status. In simple terms, they just could not believe or accept that one of them could rise to such lofty heights. And isn’t that a common tale all over the globe? When the local person comes back home a hero or celebrity, many of the townsfolk usually look askance at them with doubt and disbelief at their accomplishments. But as always, Jesus rose above the situation, simply informing them that ‘A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin (family), and in his own house.’ Now that’s the gospel truth mih people! A lot of famous, high profile personalities aren’t considered important, or as important by their own town’s people, friends and families. That can possibly be explained by a number of reasons. The first is jealousy, especially if you’re from a real dirt poor or ostracized family and are now hobnobbing with the rich and famous. Many will still look down on you, judging you from your old status, not willing to accept and appreciate how far you’ve come. There is also the matter of familiarity, which they say breeds contempt. Now it doesn’t always do that, but it does rub off some of the shine from our golden public glow or image. If your family and friends first knew you as an ordinary, down to earth person, and when you come home you behave the same way, it’s hard for them to get caught up in your public persona. If, on the other hand, you’ve acquired new airs and graces, then they will also ignore you and possibly tear you down a peg or two. We find that kind of thing a lot amongst the children of famous, powerful people, where they don’t look upon their parents as anything special, just parents, old fashioned too, while the rest of the world is beating a path to their door, singing their praises and keeping them in the spotlight. I’ve experienced this firsthand. Over the years I’ve been involved in a few things that have raised my profile a little in the community, no real celebrity stuff, but just different and unusual to some of my children’s friends, who, because of that, taught I was cool and important. Hn! But my wonderful children just shrugged their shoulders and waved off their friends admiration with a nonchalant; ‘Oh that’s just daddy doing his thing.’ What I was doing was no big deal to them because they were accustomed to it. And I’m sure they’ll react the same way when the Bit and all the other things I have planned make a big splash around the world. (smile) Now that’s with the Lord’s help obviously. And though I’m a background person by nature, I always seem to end up in the spotlight. I guess that’s just the Lord’s doing too. I can handle my work being famous, but would rather avoid the celebrity nonsense attached, although to some extent, one does come with the other. Anyway Friends, it’s sad, but generally true that those we expect to derive the most pleasure from our successes are often less than impressed, and not overly thrilled either. I’m sure although Jesus rationalized the situation, He was rather disappointed that His own did not receive Him with open, welcoming arms, but took offence to His godly gifts and teaching. And not surprisingly, from that unbelief in Nazareth arose direct negative consequences. Why? Because Jesus didn’t do much constructive work in the area. ‘And he could there do no mighty work, save (except) that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.’ (Mark 6:5) Imagine that nuh. In yuh own hometown you do the least work. And it’s not because Jesus lost His ability to perform miracles, but per the scholars; ‘But rather he finds contempt and hardness of heart, which are the antithesis of receptivity and faith. Under such circumstances, further disclosure of God’s presence in His Messiah is denied.’ Yes mih people, it’s just a sad fact of life, but it still shook up Jesus some. Mark says: ‘And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching.’ ( Mark 6:6) The resistance to Jesus in His own area was truly amazing, but also tragic, for they were denied the bounty of His teaching and good works, all because they were so hard hearted and reluctant to receive one of their own who had risen above His ordinary circumstances. The other villages round about benefitted because they were at least willing to listen and consider His wonderful words. Oh Friends, please let’s not be like that. We don’t have to grovel and fall all over our hometown people that have made good, but we must show some appreciation for their success, since that never comes without some hard work, pain and suffering. Instead of hard heartedness, let’s show some LOVE and understanding, as Jesus would have us do. Much LOVE!…And blessed is he…whosoever shall not be offended in me…(Mat.11:16)
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