REJECTED BY HIS OWN PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“And He said, ‘Verily I say unto you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.’ ”  Luke 4:24 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician, and a travelling companion of the Apostle Paul.  After He was baptized by John the baptizer, Jesus was led into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil for forty days. (Luke 4:1-2)  Afterwards, He returned to Galilee and began teaching in the synagogues. (Luke 4:14-15)  When He left Galilee He went to Nazareth.  On the Sabbath He went into the synagogue as was His custom.  On that day He stood up and read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 4:16-20)  Then He rolled up the scroll and sat down and said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” (Luke 4:20-21)  He taught them, and they were amazed and confused for they knew Him as Joseph’s son.  Then He said, “No prophet is accepted in his own country.” (Luke 4:24)  When He finished speaking, the people in the synagogue were furious and they ran Him out of town.  They were going to throw Him off of a cliff, but He walked through the crowd unharmed. (Luke 4:28-30)  Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.  They were amazed at His teaching because His words had authority. (Luke 4:31-32)  In the synagogue there was a demon possessed man whom Jesus healed.  The people saw that and spread the news about Him throughout the surrounding area. (Luke 4:33-36)  Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon.  There He found Simon’s mother-in-law sick with a high fever.  Jesus rebuked the fever and she got up immediately and began to wait on them.  By sunset many more people with various illnesses were brought to Him and He healed all of them. (Luke 4:37-41)

 

APPLICATION

It is a sad reflection of reality that we are often more likely to be respected by outsiders than we are by members of our own family.  Our family and friends may love us, but because they know us, they frequently have difficulty accepting us as a wise and knowledgeable person (expert) on any subject.  Even when they know that we have been educated and trained in that area, our wisdom is frequently questioned.  The family of Jesus, The Christ, did not respect His wisdom or abilities.  He said, “A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.” (Matthew 13:57, Mark 6:4, and Luke 4:24)  So, don’t be discouraged by family rejection.