A Prophet Has No Honor in His Own Country - John 4:44

John the apostle wrote, “Now after two days he departed from there, and went into Galilee”, and in chapter four and verse forty-four of his book, John shared how, “Jesus himself testified, that a prophet has no honor in his own country” where we read:

For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet has no honor in his own country.

The verse reads, “For Jesus himself testified, ...”. John began with the words, “For Jesus himself” or “because, since and on account that the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation His own self” “testified” which means “bore witness, uttered an honorable testimony and gave a good report”. John shared how Jesus “bore witness” concerning the following statement.

The verse goes on to say, “... that a prophet has no honor in his own country.” John continued with the words, “that a prophet” which means “one who is moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman and 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” “has no honor” or “owns, possesses and holds not any price, value, deference or reverence” “in his own country” which means “within the prophet's own native place, city or father-land”. John shared how Jesus gave witness to the fact that a person who is “moved by the Spirit of God” to be His “spokesman” does not have any “reverence, value or respect” among his own native town.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how people who were familiar with Jesus before He began His ministry often “rejected” Him or did not “value” Him for who He was. Jesus is the Messiah of God, and His own people refused to receive Him. Many people suffer the same conditions today when they enter the ministry or begin to speak God's word to their families or close relations. Because they are too familiar with the person sharing, they are unable to receive from them. In other words, they become “a prophet without honor” among people close to them. But God sees them, and He knows when they share about His Son Jesus with others. God is the ultimate judge and giver of honor, and those who are wise will minister to others as though they are ministering to the Lord. (See Colossians 3:23)

Next time John shares when Jesus, “was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him”, 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" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".