July 21, 2022

Matthew 13: 57 (NIV)

And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”

Rejection is never fun, unless you’re being considered for jury duty.*

It’s hard to get respect from the people who have known you since you were a child. The son of the preacher who baptized me when I was eight years old is now a retired army colonel. I am sure he has earned the respect of many but to me he will always be that kid who went screaming through his house when my mom showed up at his door in a scary Halloween costume. My cousin has made a few appearances on Fox News – they seem to respect his insight on economic issues. I was proud of how confident and knowledgeable he seemed during his interview but still . . . how can I forget that he was the only person to ever be bitten by our normally mild-mannered beagle?

Jesus experienced a similar type of reaction from his hometown. The people he grew up with were not taking him seriously. Matthew says they took offense at him – perhaps, knowing his humble origins, they felt he was being presumptuous. He seemed to understand it as common human behavior. He didn’t allow it to stop him from doing his job – until he did. Verse 58 relates the sad news that he didn’t do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. He knew when to move on. “It is truly remarkable,” someone has observed, “that Jesus was, in some manner, limited by their unbelief.”*

I have friends who regularly request prayer for their family members who aren’t Christians. They try to witness to their loved ones, but at best they aren’t taken seriously; at worst, they are outcasts. When it comes to family, moving on, as Jesus did, may not be an option, but we still may need to step back and allow someone else to take over. Our lives will continue to speak and be a witness but the job of messenger will fall to others.

I urge you, if you have experienced similar rejection, don’t give up on your loved ones. Continue to pray for them; continue to be available to them; and never stop living for Jesus yourself.

We must trust God to do what only God can do in a person’s life.*