“When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” So they were offended at Him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” –  Matthew 13:57

Just prior to the be-heading of His cousin, John the Baptist, and the feeding of the 5000, Jesus traveled to His hometown.  As a Rabbi, Jesus taught in many synagogues around Israel.  Here he returned to His hometown to teach and heal. 

He had been raised as local carpenter’s son. No one saw any miraculous powers in this young boy’s life. But something changed when He became older. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?” Those in the community could not reconcile God’s work with someone they knew simply as the carpenter’s son. They couldn’t fathom such a significant change in a person. 

The nature of repentance is change, to turn 180 degrees from the path you are on.  When we repent and become children of God, it brings us out of our normal routine and into a new revelation of Jesus that impacts others.

Is the move of God so evident in your life that it invites scrutiny from friends or coworkers? Jesus confronted the issues of His day without fear of being rejected. A life of obedience will be an affront to the systems of this world. When God begins His deeper work in you, it will be a stumbling block to those around you.

When you are rejected for Christ, consider that Christ is affirming His call on your life and you are becoming a threat to the kingdom of darkness. How many of satan’s workers do you think have been assigned to thwart God’s activity in your life?  Those who sit in church from week to week and never live or speak the name of Christ to others require few opponents.  They represent no threat to the kingdom of darkness.

How are you impacting the kingdom of darkness? God has called us to impact the lives around us for His Kingdom. We are the salt of the earth!  It’s up to us to season and preserve others around us.  Your words will often be an affront to those around you; do not fear. God will use your words and life to draw others to Himself. You are His ambassador.  The world is ending.  He has placed us here for this time to offer eternal life to those who live in darkness.

God Bless

Portions reprinted by permission from Os Hillman. Copyright ©2000  http://www.MarketplaceLeaders.org”