An amplified version of this similar verse in Matthew 13: 57: says, “And they took offense at Him (Jesus) (that is, they were repelled (intense aversion, dislike, disgust and revulsion (a sudden violent feeling of disgust) and hindered from acknowledging His authority, and caused to stumble (to speak or act in a halting, confused, or blundering way). But Jesus said to them, “a prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” The previous verses in Matthew 13: 54 – 56 + 58: tell us, “And coming to His home town He began teaching them in the Synagogue, so that they became astonished and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these miraculous powers?” Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His Mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things? And He did not do many miracles (works of power) there because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in the Divine mission of Jesus).” So we see that because they knew of His familiar, humble, small, and possibly imperfect beginnings, they were unwilling to receive Him as God’s Divine Choice for their spiritual instruction pertaining to the Word of God. Can we but imagine the blessings that were held back from this town, because of their rejection of Jesus the Son of God?
Isaiah 53: 3: says, “He (Jesus) was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; And one like whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”
We read one of Paul’s painful accounts in 2 Timothy 4: 14 – 15b – 18: which says, “Alexander the copper-smith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. He vigorously opposed my teaching. At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me the proclamation (of the Gospel) might be fully accomplished, and that all the gentiles might hear, and I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His Heavenly Kingdom; to Him be the Glory forever and ever. Amen.”
2 Timothy 3: 12: tells us, “And indeed, all who truly desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” This statement is a given, and something that has to be accepted as part and parcel of one’s walk in the Lord, if one wants a steadfast level way; otherwise, the emotional roller-coaster will take its toll on those who have not received this crucial knowledge and truth. Can we but imagine the blessings that are held back from all the places where the Lord’s servants are still being rejected? Jesus tells us in Matthew 10: 40: “He who receives you (those belonging to, and called of the Lord) receives Me, and He who receives Me receives the One Who sent Me.”
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: thank You so much for the extreme Grace which You have lavished upon those who have taken refuge in You. Come by Your Holy Spirit, and encourage the hearts of all those who are suffering for the sake of the proclamation of Your Gospel. Release Your discernment, and discerning of spirits, in these perilous days in which we live, so that we may be equipped for every good work, and not be affected, or distracted, by the possible oppositions we may encounter. Glory to You alone!
