A Prophet Without Honor
6 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 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? 3 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.
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Like the people of Nazareth, we too can come up with rationalizations to dismiss the powerful presence of Jesus in our lives and rationalize our way out of responding to what he is asking of us. See how that lack of acceptance, that lack of faith, hampered Jesus. Do I share that same skepticism or am I one of the faith-filled?
Today, let us open our hearts to receive Jesus with greater faith and gratitude as we in the United States celebrate the birth of our nation. What faith, what determination, what courage it took to set out on the path of revolt to a new path of liberty and justice for all!
Bro. Rene
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