THERE IS MORE SAID IN THE PODCAST AUDIO THAN IN THE NOTES BELOW
When Jesus Christ The Son Of God was Disrespected and Dishonored by His Own Family (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 2018 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 2403 since Jan. 1, 2016)
TEXT: Matthew 13:53-58:
53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
54 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?
55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
57 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.
58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
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Warren Wiersbe said, “The people of Nazareth were too familiar with Jesus in a human way, for He had grown up in their midst. It was a case of knowing Him after the flesh and not having the spiritual discernment that God gives to those who will yield to Him. These people walked by sight and not by faith.”
Matthew chapter 13 concludes with the account of Jesus Christ’s final visit to Nazareth. Despite it being his own country occupied with his relatives and friends, the people there dishonored him, were offended by him, and did not believe in him.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary says about this passage, “After instructing His disciples, Jesus returned to His hometown (Nazareth) and taught the people in their synagogue. On a previous visit to Nazareth, the populace had rejected His teaching and attempted to throw Him over a cliff in Luke 4:16–29. This time the people were impressed with His powers and teachings, but they rejected Him. They remembered Him as the carpenter’s Son. They mentioned four (half) brothers of Jesus, children born to Mary and Joseph after the birth of Jesus Christ. Three of these sons—James, Simon, and Judas—are not to be confused with three of the Twelve by the same names. The people of Nazareth refused to believe in Jesus Christ and hampered His ministry there. Nazareth’s problem was the danger of the familiar for the city’s residents could not see beyond the young Man who had grown up among them. Surely One so “ordinary” could not be the promised Messiah. Consequently they rejected the Messiah and took offense at Him. Jesus was not surprised, for He cited what has become a common proverb, namely, that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown and family. As a result of their lack of faith, Jesus performed few miracles there.”
Here are two things to learn from this passage.
First, look at how Jesus was rejected by His own people. Familiarity breeds contempt is a common proverb, and it applies here. When Jesus taught in the synagogue at Nazareth, the people were astonished at his wisdom and the mighty works he had done. However, instead of realizing that they needed to change their perspective on who Jesus was, they were offended at him. They basically started asking, “Who does Jesus think he is?” They brought up how they knew his father Joseph, his mother Mary, and his brothers and sisters. To them Jesus was just the carpenter’s son, and they were offended that he was fulfilling a higher calling. John 1:11-13 says, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” Charles Spurgeon said, “Astonishment led to enquiry. They began to ask how it could be. The question, ‘Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?’ might have been brought forward reverently, and have led to their obtaining a most instructive reply; but some flavored their question with impertinent unbelief, and this cost them dear. His pedigree seemed to them to be of them lowliest. He had sprung from among themselves: his reputed father was a village artisan; his mother was plain Mary, and his relations commonplace parties enough. This ought to have gratified and encouraged them; but it did not. They grew sarcastic, and harped upon the family names of James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas. They hinted that he could not have learned much wisdom in a carpenter’s shop; and as he had not been among the rabbis to obtain a superior education, he could not really know much. How could he have attained to such eminence? He was a mere nobody. Why, they knew him when his parents lost him when they went up to the feast at Jerusalem! They could not listen to the talk of the carpenter’s son. They stumbled at that which should have been a stepping-stone for them. Poor souls! Still is it commonly the case that, where a man is known, his neighbors find it hard to think that he can be really great.”
Second, look at how Jesus did not do many great works because of their unbelief. Jesus did not waste his time and spend his energy doing mighty works among a people who would not profit by it because of their unbelief. Matthew Henry said, “It did for the present (to speak with reverence), in effect, tie his hands: He did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Note, Unbelief is the great obstruction to Christ’s favours. All things are in general possible to God, but then it is to him that believes as to the particulars. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, but then it is to every one that believes. So that if mighty works be not wrought in us, it is not for want of power or grace in Christ, but for want of faith in us. By grace ye are saved, and that is a mighty work, but it is through faith.”
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Now, if you are with us today and you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, allow me to show you how you can place your faith and trust in Him for Salvation from sin and Hell.
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Mark 9:43-48: “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now that is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.
If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.
God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.
Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign 