Matthew 13:53-58

About the Text

(54) Where was Jesus' "home town"? Nazareth, a working-class town, west of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was not born there (He was born in Bethlehem), but grew up in this town. This is why people called Him "Jesus of Nazareth."

(57) Why did the people take "offense" at Jesus? Because He taught that God will reject those who will never believe in Jesus. Note that in his previous parable (see verses 47-52), He mentions not only that God will save believers, but that God will also send unbelievers to hell. This part of Christ's teaching offends people.

Luke 4:14-30 records a time when Jesus was earlier rejected by His people. At first, they praised Him when He taught the "good stuff" -- i.e. that God brings freedom, hope, and salvation. But then they were offended when Jesus claimed that many of them lacked faith and would be rejected by God. At this, they were so furious that they wanted to throw Him off a cliff.

Do you accept ALL that Christ taught? It is easy to be "turned on" by what the Bible says about Jesus' love for us, His resurrection, and the hope and salvation He gives us. But are there also teachings that "turn you off"? Do you take offense at, or are embarrassed by, His teachings about hell, punishment of unbelievers, His sovereign control of all things, the sinfulness of man, difficult commands of God? Do you become uncomfortable when you hear of miracles and healings?

(57) How did Jesus know His own people would reject Him? Christ's, being divine, foreknew the Nazarenes' rejection of Him. What He quotes is a popular saying, rather than an Old Testament verse.

(58) Why doesn't Jesus do miracles when there is a lack of faith? God has so chosen to ordinarily work His greatest power through the faith of His people. When there is great faith, there is great divine power.

There are occasional times, however, when God works miracles without much faith. in Mark's account of the same story (Mark 6:1-6), Jesus still healed a couple of people. in Acts 3:1-10, God still heals a beggar, although there is no mention of any prior faith.

God is certainly able to work wonders even when we lack faith, but He ordinarily works His greatest miracles when His people have faith. See Galatians 3:1-5.


Key Memory Verse

But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." (Matthew 13:57)

Insights

• People are often "turned off" by the works of God. Sometimes it is because of a church, person, or miracle whom God is working through.
• Although He is able to, Jesus so chooses not to do many miracles where there is a lack of faith.

The Bottom Line

Key point: If you firmly believe in Jesus Christ, expect to see God work powerfully. If you lack faith, expect to see very little.

God's most powerful work, of course, is that He saves, immortalizes, resurrects, refreshes and renews sinners who believe. When you stand at before Christ's judgment seat, and He reviews your life to you, you will be amazed that Jesus would die on a cross for you, and save such lowly sinners just because you believe in Him. But the benefits of salvation (which God gives to all who believe in Jesus) don't stop with eternal life. Believers will also see God move in other powerful ways, such as seeing an atheist friend become a believer, or a greedy man become generous, or a sick friend become healed. God works his power in the believer's life in many ways, both miraculously and non miraculously.