FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT

A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown…

Matthew 13:57

Returning to His old hometown of Nazareth, Jesus, the Eternal Son of God, was welcomed with apathy, skepticism, and disdain. He was, after all, a “hometown boy,” associated with the commonplace and the familiar, emerging from a humble family that they rubbed shoulders with on a daily basis. “How could he be so great?”

By faith, we know that Jesus was Incarnate Deity—but of this fact, the Nazarenes were ignorant. With His self-emptying (Phil.2:7), Jesus’ was Deity incognito; it was not His general custom to physically “glow in the dark” (the Transfiguration excepted). While it was also true that He was the perfect man who could boast with singular accuracy of a faultless existence (John 8:46), even this peculiarity didn’t faze the locals. And while there was a conceded astonishment at His level of teaching (Matt.13:54), the people even proved impervious to that unique Voice of authority (Matt.7:28-29; John 7:46). In fact, they took deep offense at Him (Matt.13:57). “His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). 

Rodney Dangerfield had a signature line: "I don't get no respect!" It’s unsurprising that God’s people are unrecognized as such by the world; Christians have not yet openly assumed the full possession of their inheritance (Rom.8:19). What’s sad is that saints often encounter a similar culture of disrespect within our churches. Quiet, humble brethren who are great champions in God’s sight are frequently disdained and unappreciated by fellow Christians. Studious, hard-working shepherds (1Tim.5:17) are minimized and led to discouragement by their flocks (Heb.13:17).

We find the experience of Jesus at Nazareth strangely encouraging. If the infinite merits of the God-Man were undervalued and unrecognized, what should we expect? Let our labors aim towards the Master’s recognition (Matt.25:21)!

Terry L. Reese