57 “And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13:57–58 ESV)
“You can’t go back home to your family, back home to your childhood, back home to romantic love, back home to a young man’s dreams of glory and of fame, back home to exile, to escape to Europe and some foreign land, back home to lyricism, to singing just for singing’s sake, back home to aestheticism, to one’s youthful idea of ‘the artist’ and the all-sufficiency of ‘art’ and ‘beauty’ and ‘love,’ back home to the ivory tower, back home to places in the country, to the cottage in Bermuda, away from all the strife and conflict of the world, back home to the father you have lost and have been looking for, back home to someone who can help you, save you, ease the burden for you, back home to the old forms and systems of things which once seemed everlasting but which are changing all the time–back home to the escapes of Time and Memory.” ― Thomas Wolfe
The people of Jesus’ childhood home took offense at Him. To take offense (σκανδαλίζω; skandalizo) means to cause one to experience anger or shock. Jesus’ striking instruction resulted in the people becoming angry at Him. This was the second time such a reaction occurred towards Jesus when He taught in the Nazareth synagogue. In Luke’s account (Luke 4:16-30), the people sought to kill Jesus (Luke 4:29). Matthew and Mark (Mark 6:1-6) recorded no such intention by the people at this second incident.
Why were the people so incensed at Jesus? Why were they angry at Him? Jesus provided in the answer which Matthew records.
First, the Nazarenes’ response to Jesus fulfilled Scripture. Jesus quoted from the Prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 11:1-2). Sinful people do not respond well to biblical truth. However, the prophets, and in this case Jesus, were not audience driven but rather obedience driven. Their obedience was to the Word of God and the God of the Word. The same remains true today for pastor/teachers (2 Tim. 4:1`-5).
Second, the people of Nazareth were unbelievers. They did not understand the Word of God neither did they desire it. This evidenced their fallen, spiritual condition (I Cor. 2:14). Matthew wrote that this is why Jesus ceased to do many works in the area. The people wanted miracles but they did not want biblical truth. This was the case with members of Jesus’ own family.
“Like the Pharisees before them (12:22–32), the citizens of Nazareth acknowledge the good work that Jesus is doing and yet fail to discern the source of His authority. For them, familiarity has bred contempt, and they will do whatever they can to deny the obvious,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“It is not mere ignorance that hinders men, but that, of their own accord, they search after grounds of offense, to prevent them from following the path to which God invites,” states John Calvin.
Whatever people thought they knew about Jesus when He was growing up in Nazareth needed to change because of who He truly was; God in the flesh. They were unwilling and unable to do this because of their unbelief. What about you?
“Western society is blessed to be steeped in the teaching of Scripture and the person and work of Christ. However, we must take care that this blessing of familiarity does not motivate contempt in us for the things of God. Even if we do not consciously disregard the Lord, failing to marvel at the Father’s grace — because we hear of it every week — is a subtle and powerful form of contempt. Take time to meditate on the greatness of our God and His love for us,” concludes Dr. Sproul.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 