A prophet hath no honor in his own country
Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country (John 4:43–44 KJV)
Jesus grew up in Nazareth in the province of Galilee. The Nazarenes knew Him as any other young Jewish boy growing up, except that He appeared to have unusual wisdom and was different in behavior than the other kids. Jesus began His ministry in the province of Judea, and His fame spread abroad and indeed reached His home town. He then took a trip to visit home. But how would Nazareth receive Him now?
Mark records an exciting account of the reception He got in His own home town:
“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him” (Mark 6:3 KJV).
They remembered Him as the carpenter and brother of James, Joses, and his other brothers and sisters. They were offended at Him. They could not imagine that the young Jesus they knew was now a nation-shaking prophet, let alone the thought that He was the Messiah. They fell into the old snare that threatens all of us: familiarity. We get familiar with our pastors, friends, spouses, children, and others who know well and become blind to how God uses them. Others become blessed, while those in their own homes or home towns are not. There are prophets today in some nations celebrated by other countries but rejected by the people of their nation.
Beware of familiarity.
MEDITATE
Why was it hard for the Nazarenes to believe in Jesus?
APPLY THE WORD
Familiarity has the power to quench the anointing in a person’s life. Be careful to know how God uses people you are familiar with, and do not let your acquaintance with them become an obstacle.
PRAY
Ask the Spirit to help you escape the snare of familiarity with those around you He wants to use to bless you.
Free Mini E-book: From Spiritual Dryness to Flourishing
