Tag Archives: Hometown Hero

Matthew 13- Hometown Hero?

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And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath 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? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. Matthew 13:53-57

As the Bible says “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) Jesus is God in human form, the incarnation of Christ is a revelation that is sometimes difficult for our human minds to comprehend. However, imagine if Jesus Christ grew up in your hometown, and you knew him from a child. This was the response from the people of Nazareth, they rejected Jesus as the Christ because they already knew who he was

Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is this not the son of Mary? It’s amazing how our human minds can reason with any little doubt we can grasp. We still see this today, many people reject Jesus as the Son of God, because they can’t comprehend the incarnation of Christ, they can’t comprehend the resurrection of Christ, they can’t comprehend how Jesus can be fully God and fully man (Philippians 2) Even if our human minds can’t comprehend these things, we can’t deny the truth that Jesus is the Son of God

But as Jesus said “ A prophet has no honor in their hometown” this really shouldn’t be a surprise to us, knowing the history of God’s prophets being persecuted and killed, why would we think it would be any different when the Messiah came? They killed the Messiah just as they killed their prophets and apostles, the heart of man is wicked beyond belief and needs to be Born Again

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58

Notice Jesus didn’t perform many miracles in Nazareth because of their lack of faith, their lack of belief in who Jesus truly is. Anything is possible with God, but nothing will be possible without faith. Without faith we can’t please God (Hebrews 11:16) Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, Amen!

Luke 4- Hometown Hero?

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And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Luke 4:16-21

What is the gospel or the good news of Jesus Christ? The Lord makes it clear hear by reading the prophecy of Isaiah 61, to tell the good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to deliver the captives, to make the spiritually blind see, to make the all free from sin and death! The gospel was foretold by the prophet Isaiah, and Jesus fulfilled it all

Now when Jesus said “Today this scripture has been fulfilled” this caused an uproar in Nazareth. Why? Because Jesus was declaring that He is the long awaited Messiah, He is the Son of God who became flesh, He is the one all the prophets including Isaiah was talking about! Instead of the religious leaders rejoicing that the Messiah has come, their hearts were hardened, and their ears were closed and they rejected the Christ

And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. Luke 4:22-27

Who does Jesus think he is? Isn’t this Mary and Joseph’s Son? Isn’t he the carpenter’s boy from Nazareth? Yes the carpenter’s Son is also the Son of God! As Jesus said “No prophet is accepted in his hometown” Because of their lack of faith, they seen a lack of healing and miracles. 

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way, Luke 4:28-30

 The religious leaders were furious with Jesus, and even tried to kill him after the service by throwing him over a hill, talk about a bad worship service! However they forgot Jesus is the Son of God and walked through them! How sad , Jesus presented them with all the evidence that He is the Messiah, yet they not only rejected him but tried to kill him!

Since Jesus suffered , we should expect to suffer also! Don’t expect to be a “Hometown Hero” for preaching the gospel, many will resist, many will try to discredit you, but remember its all about glorifying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Amen!

Mark 6- Hometown Hero?

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And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. Mark 6:1-4

Many Christians want to be popular with the world, they want everyone to love and accept them. Question is, if your Lord was rejected and killed by the world, why would you expect better treatment? Christians who believe they should be all inclusive and accepting, don’t understand real Christianity. As Jesus said “He didn’t come for peace but with a sword” (Matthew 10:34) What did Jesus mean? He meant the gospel was going to divide people, many will reject it while few will find the way

The Messiah came to his hometown, you would think they would have a parade, right? Wrong, they rejected and opposed Jesus. They made derogatory remarks about his occupation, his family, they basically wrote him off as crazy. Jesus said “A prophet has no honor in his hometown or family” why? Because people don’t understand the transformation power of God and becoming Born Again

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. Mark 6:5-6

 Jesus performed limited healings and miracles in Nazareth, why? Because of the lack of faith among the people. They had hardened hearts and spiritually deaf ears. They rejected Christ, and rejected his gospel. Remember the previous miracles Jesus performed were possible because of the great faith of people in Jesus. 

Back to modern day Christianity, again why do you think you’re going to be popular as a Christian or loved by many? Jesus was tortured and crucified by his own people, and he is our Lord, why do you expect better treatment? 

Jesus said “Deny Yourself, Carry your Cross, and Follow Him” Jesus didn’t say this is your best life now, Jesus said the opposite. This will be your worst life now, until you enter the Kingdom. Suffer for Christ, those who endure till the end will be saved Amen!