TEXT
Matthew 13:54-58
He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house.” And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.
NRSV
COMMENT
Familiarity tends to breed contempt. It is not so different with the Kingdom. Those closest to Jesus—his family, those who lived in his village—would naturally have benefited most from his presence. But it is difficult to allow yourself to be ministered to by someone you’ve been around for so long. It’s also difficult to believe and live a Kingdom that is here but not yet. But the not yet of the Kingdom is ripe with opportunity, opportunities to live and see with eyes of faith. There are spaces in our world—there are people around us—that are waiting for the opportunity to see the majesty of Jesus and his Kingdom in the church. But this majesty must be like that of Jesus, who for love’s sake endured the cross. The Kingdom is here, ready to be beheld by those who see Jesus as he is.