53When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. 54He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” 55Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph,f Simon, and Judas. 56All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” 57And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.
Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” 58And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.
Get ready. If this hasn’t happened to you yet, it will. I can’t really blame the people who know me best for rejecting me when I talk about Jesus. They have seen me sin so much. It still hurts so bad. And the closer they are the more it hurts. We must remember that this is exactly what we must expect to happen. As a matter of fact, if it doesn’t happen, perhaps you need to examine yourself and see if you are really letting the Lord change you.
What are we to do? It appears that even Jesus simply accepted that it had to be that way. The Son Of God can’t make someone accept him, and neither can you. I’ve heard people say that it is not you they are rejecting, it is Jesus they are rejecting, but if I am one with Jesus, they are rejecting us both. And that is how it should be. I am tempted to put the Lord aside sometimes so I will fit in with a certain group, and I have done that. It is always a terrible mistake.
Lord help me to be who you want me to be. Help me to always walk in quiet humility with you. Help me to accept it when someone rejects us, and respond with simple love.
Would you like to share a story about being rejected because of your beliefs? Beginner’s Online Bible Study *obbs*
