John concludes his gospel that for every story recorded about Jesus there are countless that weren’t. This only highlights the importance of each and every story that did make it into the canon of scripture. Including one of the most intriguing, and tragic stories of missed opportunity for those in Jesus' own hometown.
The Bible says, that Jesus' fame was widespread. Though it would seem that the people of Nazareth rarely experienced prominence or accolades of this kind. Highlighting this was when Nathanael said to Phillip concerning Jesus', what good can come out of Nazareth? We get an insight into the quality of the people from Jesus’ hometown, as we learn the reception that He received when returning home to minister in the local synagogue.
Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. //Matthew 13:53-58 NKJV
Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. //Matthew 13:53-58 NKJV
Shortly after ministering, over-familiar family friends frivolously started to question Jesus authenticity. Jesus’ life evidently challenged the core of those who attempted to apply scrutiny, which only highlighted their insecurities and threatened their own small existence and validity. They were initially very complimentary, maybe even affectionately surprised by Jesus’ wisdom and demonstration of the miraculous. It seems however that they couldn’t reconcile the natural with the spiritual. Who they knew in the flesh got in the way of the gift and call of God on Jesus’ life. This hostile indifference, as The Message puts it, curiously and tragically undermined the miraculous! Consider for a moment those living in the town desperate for Jesus’ ministry who missed out, let alone the difference that Jesus also could have made in the lives of those who lacked faith, humility, and the character to honour. Often it‘s those closest to us, who know us the most who have trouble honouring the gift and call of God on our life.
It’s been said, the key to wisdom is knowing all the right questions to ask. The first question - where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? - could have led to a life-changing God encounter, instead it led to further rhetorical questions that only opened the door to offence. Instead a right question asked with a small and suspicious spirit, and an impoverished soul is sure to lead to a wrong outcome.
Jesus felt no compulsion to prove those closest to him wrong by turning up the number of miracles. Instead He just moved on to where He was received with honour and humility.
Don’t allow people to hold you back, and don’t allow yourself to be in the position to limit what God wants to do through those closest to you. Everybody benefits when we honour the gift and the call of God on people’s lives.
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