On Being A Prophet                06-12-15

57 And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, " A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household."
Matt 13:56-57 (NASB)

. 4 Jesus said to them, " A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household."
Mark 6:3-4 (NASB)

44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.
John 4:44 (NASB)

Harbinger, Shemitah.

I've been engrossed in some reading this week about prophetic signs,wonders and whatnot. No matter the opinion of the author's interpretation, the content presented is compelling; no, it is spellbinding, bordering on the unbelievable. All historical fact. Hard to turn a deaf ear, or a blind eye to the material presented. Notwithstanding all that, the above verse(verses) came to mind last P.M.

Jesus was stressing a point here don't you think? This point in time is mentioned in three of the four Gospels. What entered my mind as I read the accounts was a question of sorts. What was it that prophets have in common? Was it detailed foresight about the future? Not really. Was, or is it a specific gift of insight into an individual or individual's life? The "anointing" to be able to speak into someone's life? No, I don't think so. Well,what is it then?

Rejection.

How's that again?

Rejection.

Get the whole picture here. Let's look back at the accounts in Matthew. It's almost identical in Mark.

53  When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. 54  He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all 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 hometown and in his own household."
Matt 13:53-57 (NASB)

Here is Jesus, the Son of God, returning to His hometown. He is returning from a successful and popular revival tour; and, once more in Nazareth, He sets about teaching His lifelong  friends and neighbors. What an honor! What an unbelievable blessing of God just to be counted among those fortunate enough to be at that meeting! Can you imagine? "Where you going?" "Oh, I'm going to church tonight! Jesus, the Son of God is going to be preaching a weekend revival!!"  PTL!!!

"Yes,Praise God! We're gonna have a DOWN HOME, GOING HOME, GOOD TIME TONIGHT! THE LORD WILL BE MOVING IN OUR MIDST IN A MIGHTY WAY THIS EVENING! HIS PRESENCE WILL BE THICK IN THAT PLACE! AMEN, PRAISE GOD!"

Except.....

that's not quite the way it happened is it?

 No, .....not quite.

You see, the problem then, much as it is today, is this. These folk in Nazareth KNEW Jesus. They had lived with Him. They had worked with Him. They had grown up with Him. They had seen Him fall down and scrape His knee. While growing up He probably did some things that irritated certain folk. And now, here He is...He's doing what?... proclaiming Himself to be the promised Messiah?! He has all this supposed wisdom. And where is He getting the power and authority to do all these mighty works? And then,..... wait for it...... after all this,... comes the capper.

 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"
Matt 13:54-56 (NASB)

"Wait a minute here.(I can here them now) What are you folks doing here? This is Jesus. Mary and Joseph's boy. I've known Him all my life, I remember how He was; and, I can tell you this for sure, He's no Messiah!!"

"And they took offense at Him."

 Why you ask? Because they KNEW Him. Same with us isn't it? Except, we can't lay claim to being the Son of God can we? Listen, if Jesus, the Son of God,was treated that way, how should we then believe that we are going to be treated?

You see, it is those that are around us the most, that understand us the least. Why? Because they KNOW us. They know that we are imperfect. They are all too aware of our failings and shortcomings. They,more than others, see our sin. Who are we to be telling them about Jesus?!! Who do we think we are? Has this ever happened to you? Take heart. You are in good company.

Just like the prophets of old, just like the Son of God Himself, we are misunderstood, and in many cases, flat out rejected. And, let us be very careful, if we are not prudent, we ourselves can join the circle of the offended and the critic, as opposed to being the criticized. Just sayin.'

9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.
Psalms 41:9 (NASB)

God Bless