Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.
Jesus makes a point here that I find very interesting and relatable. The people he grew up with could not see past his stinky diapers, adolescent ache, inexperienced working actions as a carpenter apprentice, and other youthful encounters to see what God was doing through him. They could not see that he was the Messiah or God’s Son, and his chosen instrument to bring freedom to a lost world. They could not see that he was more than the young carpenter apprentice who had athlete's foot and pimples, and was growing into his body. He was too familiar to them, for them to look past his quirks and into his heart.
I have found that this happens too, at times, in my ministries. It can be so frustrating to see family members and/or friends who you love so much discount the work God is doing through you because you grew up with them. It is pride at its core and it is wrong. But Jesus also knew that God would bring other great people into their lives they would listen to. And he did not need their approval or support, though it would have been nice.
What matters is they see God work, and, in time, maybe they too will change. This happened for Jesus, as his brother James (who we don’t hear from at all while he was alive) became a follower, early church leader and pastor of the Jerusalem fellowship. So for those family and friends that I long for to see and experience true life with God, who resist recognizing God’s hand and work through me, I can be at peace. I can pray for them. And I can love them patiently and wait for God to change their hearts.
Lord, thank you for sharing this real and challenging story of being belittled and discounted by those closest to you. It is hard to deal with. But you model grace in this instance. And you can give me grace too. Grace to be patient and to focus on your approval. Thank you for the confidence to follow your truth and grace with or without family and friends always recognizing your work in my life.
