Reflecting on John 4:43-45“Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.” (John 4:44)
While in Nazareth (in Galilee), Jesus says “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.” (Luke 4:24)
John refers to these words when writing about Jesus going to Galilee.
And yet John adds, “when he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him.” (John 4:45)
There is no further mention in the next few stories of Jesus being rejected.
Why does John throw this in there, and why does he want his readers to know this?
The fact is, Jesus was both welcomed and rejected wherever He went.
Everywhere He went among the Jews and non-Jews had the same result.
The surprising thing was that is was mostly the shunned and strugglers that welcomed Him.
Those in leadership, those with money, health or power, did not like Jesus.
Those who considered themselves as better than others looked down on Jesus.
“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” (John 1:11).
Jesus knows that His own (including Christians today) will not like His message.
Those with religious, financial or political advantage will find His message hard.
Imagine Jesus saying, “no prophet is accepted in his own church.”
Is it possible that many in the church today would not welcome Jesus?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, it was not those viewed as sinners or unbelievers that rejected You, it was Your own people... Your church leaders and members. Help us as Your people not to repeat the error of Your people then.
Jesus said, ‘Let the children come unto me.’ Kids of the Kingdom, that’s who we are. Accepting and trusting. I need to be like a small child trusting the Father Who knows what is good for me. No log nor splinter in my eye but the love of Jesus. All are welcomed for all need his forgiveness. May grace and truth mark the way.