Matthew the apostle wrote, “And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Where has this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? From where then has this man all these things?”, and in chapter thirteen and verse fifty-seven of his book, Matthew wrote how the people within Nazareth were, “offended in him” where we read:
And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them,
A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.
The verse reads, “And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and they were offended” which means “and the people in Jesus' own city were stumbled, impeded, tripped and caused to fall away” “in him” or “in Jesus”. “But” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “Jesus said” or “Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto them” which refers to the people who were “offended in him”. Matthew shared how the people from Jesus' own city of Nazareth were “stumbled and impeded” by Him, so Jesus proclaimed the following statement to them.
The verse continues, “A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.” Matthew added the words, “a prophet” which means “one who is moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation” “is not without honor” or “is honored, exalted and esteemed”, “save” which refers to “whether, except and not lest” “in his own country” or “within the prophet's own native place, city, abode or home”, “and in his own house” which means “and in the prophet's own habitation, dwelling and home”. Matthew shared how Jesus declared that a person who ministers Gods' “spoken word” to others is treated with “honor” in every place except his own “city and home”.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the people from Jesus' own city were “offended” by Him. This was not without expectation from Jesus because He knew “a prophet” was usually accepted except by those who knew him best. Many times ministers of the gospel have difficulty ministering to their own families and close friends because they know him so well. Jesus desires to share His gospel with everyone, and even those who were familiar with Him had the opportunity to know Him as “Savior and Lord”. Perhaps those who read these words shall examine themselves and be certain their familiarity with Jesus does not keep them from having a relationship with Him.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus, “did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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