Scripture

“A prophet is honoured everywhere except in his home town and among his own people.”

Observation

Jesus tells more parables. The parables of the buried treasure and the precious pearl show us that the kingdom of heaven is worth giving up everything in this life for.

The parable of the fishing net teaches us that there will be a great judgement at the end of the age.

Jesus then goes to his home town of Nazareth. People there refuse to accept Him. They refuse to believe in Him, so He can only do a few miracles.

Application

Jesus was respected as a teacher and miracle worker everywhere except in Nazareth. There, for some reason, they decided that the proverb was true that “nothing good comes from Nazareth.” They knew His family, so He couldn’t be anything special.

This quest for novelty goes on today. People are still more impressed by a visiting preacher than by their own pastor, even when they say the same things.

Frustrating as it may be for the local pastors, it it is an unfortunate trait of many people.

We must not fail to honour our leaders who put in years of faithful service. We must not have more faith in the anointing on a visiting preacher than the anointing on a young person who grew up in our church.

If we fail to see the Holy Spirit at work in a person, regardless of where they come from, Jesus will not be able to do many miracles among us.

Prayer

Father, please overcome my prejudices. Help me to see your Spirit working on everyone who seeks to serve you. Amen.