Jesus Not Believed in Home Town

God is Just and Merciful

Justice and Sabbath Laws

Matthew 13:54-58 The Message
53-57 When Jesus finished telling these stories, he left there, returned to his hometown, and gave a lecture in the meetinghouse. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. “We had no idea he was this good!” they said. “How did he get so wise, get such ability?” But in the next breath they were cutting him down: “We’ve known him since he was a kid; he’s the carpenter’s son. We know his mother, Mary. We know his brothers James and Joseph, Simon and Judas. All his sisters live here. Who does he think he is?” They got their noses all out of joint.
58 But Jesus said, “A prophet is taken for granted in his hometown and his family.” He didn’t do many miracles there because of their hostile indifference.

For Reflection

The people of Jesus's hometown recognized his ability and wisdom.  They declared him "good." But they were blinded by their perceptions. They saw Christ as a carpenter's son. They saw him as a child of the community and defined him by their cultural status. Even though they were impressed by him, they could not see him beyond what they perceived as reality, could not see the truth that was before them. What they saw was limited by there five senses, their history with him and the perception of themselves. They could not capture a picture of the mature Jesus. They were blinded by their false perceptions of reality.

Pray

Pray that you will not be spiritually blind because of environmental influences and outdated perceptions of the reality of Christ. Pray so that you can see beyond your temporal religious notions and into the reality of God's love.

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