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FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT
THURSDAY, MAY 1
Luke 4:16-30

1 Timothy 5:17

 

“No prophet is accepted

in his own country.”

 

FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT
 
“A prophet has no honour in his own country” (John 4:44). As the saying goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Jesus experienced such contempt in his own hometown, Nazareth, where He grew up. Nazareth should be delighted over her own son — Jesus — who was already famous throughout the region, and all were speaking very highly of Him (Luke 4:14-15). Cana, a nearby city, for instance, had received Jesus warmly, but sadly His very own from Nazareth rejected Him.
 
It was customary for Jesus to go to the synagogue on the sabbath day, keeping the sabbath law to fulfil all righteousness. On this occasion, the Lord graciously identified Himself as the Messiah to the Nazarenes. He read the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 61:1 to 2 and with authority said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Surely Jesus is the promised Messiah. The Holy Spirit is upon Him (Luke 3:22). He is the Anointed Evangelist (Mark 1:14). The Messianic Age has arrived (Mark 1:15; cf. Gal 4:4).
 
In response, the Nazarenes dishonoured Him by asking a cynical question: “Is not this Joseph’s son?” In other words, “He is but a carpenter! How can He be the Messiah?” And they despised Him by this insult: “Physician, heal thyself.” In other words, “We want to see in order to believe!” They viewed Christ with great scepticism and unbelief (cf. Matt 13:58).
 
A prophet is usually received with respect and honour in foreign places, but in his own hometown, he is despised and treated with contempt. For this reason, God withheld His blessings from them. Instead, He showered His blessings upon the Gentiles. The widow of Sarepta showed kind hospitality to Elijah, and was wonderfully supplied throughout the famine (1 Kings 17:1-24). Naaman the Syrian showed great respect for Elisha, and was miraculously healed of leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-14). In contrast, the Nazarenes, instead of humbling themselves before God, became very angry, and wanted to kill Jesus. But it was not yet time for Jesus to die. They thus could not lay a finger on Him. God froze them on the spot. Jesus calmly walked right past them, and went on His way.
 
THOUGHT: Do I treat my own pastor with contempt?

PRAYER: Father, help me appreciate my own local pastor(s).

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