Matthew 13:53-58, A Prophet Without Honor

⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. ⁵⁴ Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. ⁵⁵ “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ Aren’t all his sisters 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 own town and in his own home.”

 ⁵⁸ And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Our lack of faith cannot prevent the inevitable victory given to the Body of Christ. This was taught in the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven. Our lack of faith, however, can certainly impede progress.

When Jesus went home, we are told, “He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith”. Can you imagine a church without miracles? Well, some of us might lead one.

I can tell you exactly where this lack of faith comes from. It comes from looking at things through our human eyes rather than through God’s eyes. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? When God has found an available servant he couldn’t care less who that servant’s mom or dad is.

No so true for us. We are more likely to say “wait a minute. Isn’t that my old roommate from Saint Paul Bible College? No way! He couldn’t do that!”  And…my refusal to accept God’s power in my old roommate would result in my inability to accept the miraculous.

I look around at the SPBC classes of 1972, 1973, 19974.  I recognize a few giants who have done wondrous and mighty things for the Kingdom. I also probably didn’t know them very well back at then. I promise you this: For every prophet I recognize, God has raised up scores more…from those same classes. It’s probably time I quit looking through my own eyes. “Man looks at the outward appearance. God looks at the heart”.

Time to have our eyes checked…

When we begin to regard all believers as potential miracle workers…even the church janitor…there is no limit to the majestic power and influence our churches can have in our communities.

Live boldly out there today…