REJECTED BY HIS OWN PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“ ‘Truly I tell you,’ He continued, ‘no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.’ ”  Luke 4:24 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The 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 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)

 

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, our wisdom is frequently questioned.  They will ask us for our opinion and then they will argue with us about it.  Do not let this bother you, 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)  Don’t be discouraged, continue to study and gain wisdom and knowledge, and continue to share it with others, especially regarding The Word of God, because our goal is to be approved by God, not by man. (2 Timothy 2:15)

 

OFTEN OUR WISDOM IS NOT RESPECTED IN OUR OWN HOMES

PROCLAMATION

“When Jesus had finished these parables, He moved on from there.  Coming to His hometown, He began teaching the people … ‘Where did this man get this wisdom …?’ ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?’ …  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.’ ”  Matthew 13:53-57 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to the Apostle Matthew.  After Jesus had healed all of the sick people in the crowd that followed Him, and all those who were brought to Him, He left and went and sat by the lake.  A large crowd gathered around Him, so He got into a boat and sat in it while the people stood on the shore. (Matthew 13:1-2)  Then He told them many things in parables, including the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9), the parable of the weeds (Matthew 13:23-30), the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast (Matthew 13:31-33), the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl (Matthew 13:44-46), and the parable of the net. (Matthew 13:47-50)  After the people had left, He explained the parables to His disciples and told them why He spoke to the people in parables. (Matthew 13:10-17)  Then He left that town and went to His hometown and began teaching and preaching in the synagogue.  The people were amazed at His wisdom, but they questioned Him.  That was when He said, “A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.” (Matthew 13:57)

APPLICATION

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, our wisdom is frequently questioned.  They will ask us for our opinion and then argue with us about it.  Do not let this bother you, the family of Jesus, The Christ, did not respect His wisdom or abilities.  Often those who are less familiar with our past are more likely to accept and respect our credentials, wisdom, knowledge, and opinions.  While this is not always the case, all too often we are more likely to be honored by outsiders than we are by our own family members.  Don’t be discouraged, continue to study and gain wisdom and knowledge, and continue to share it with others because our goal is to be approved by The Lord God, not by man. (2 Timothy 2:15)

DON'T LET THE LACK OF RESPECT FROM FAMILY STOP YOU

Proclamation:

“Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.’”  Mark 6:4 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark.  This is the gospel as he received it from the apostle Peter.  In this chapter Mark begins by stating that Jesus was not well received or respected in His own home town and he quotes what Jesus says about the lack of respect from those who knew Him. (Mark 6:1-6)  Then he records that Jesus sent His disciples out, two by two, to preach, to heal the sick, and to cast out demons from among the people. (Mark 6:7-13)  Mark also presents the events surrounding the beheading of John, the baptizer. (Mark 6:14-29)  Then he recounts the feeding of the five thousand men, plus women and children, with the two small fish and five small loaves of bread. (Mark 6:32-44)  He ends by reporting the miracle of Jesus walking on water across the lake to join His disciples in the boat. (Mark 6:45-52)

Application:

There is an old saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.”  People are not likely to think too highly of individuals that they are very familiar with.  It is often much easier to gain the respect of strangers than it is to gain the respect of ones family members.  People may rise up to a position of respect but family will always see them as the person that they were beforehand.  Some people will constantly remind a believer of their sinful past because that person has never risen above that.  Don’t let the lack of respect, contempt, envy, or whatever from family or friends hold you back or block your growth in The Lord.  We may be more effective in our work for The Lord in places other than the place where we grew up, or around people other than our own family.