53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. REFLECTIONSWritten by Adam DaviesIt strikes me firstly that all four Gospels record Jesus’ words that a prophet is without honour in his hometown. Why is this the case? Don’t we proudly tell everyone when someone who went to our school, or grew up in our town, or is a family friend or distant relative becomes famous? Why would Jesus not be honoured in his hometown? After all the people here know his mother is Mary, his brothers are James, Joseph, Simon and Judas and they know his sisters. Shouldn’t they love their homegrown prophet?But they take offense at him! They say, isn’t this just the son of a tradie? Where did he get all this wisdom and knowledge? Notice how they judge Jesus on such worldly standards – his family background, his educational qualifications. By discrediting Jesus, they can ignore the words he speaks. They recognise his wisdom and power, yet fail to recognise and honour Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.A couple of possible reflections for us:First, do we expect God to be or act a certain way, and take offense when God isn’t how we would like him to be? Are we willing to submit to God as our Lord and creator, and trust what he says in his word, rather than say “Well, I like to think that God would…” and then insert what I want?Second, do we dismiss others, especially those who speak God’s word to us, on worldly standards, or do we recognise the good and the truth that God is working through them? Am I willing to sit under a Bible study leader who has a less desirable profession than me? Will I take a truthful rebuke from someone who is less educated than I am? What about godly advice from someone who has come to Christ from a messy family background when I have been in a church all my life?Take some time to think and pray about any pride or prejudices in your own heart that cause you to take offense at God or others.ABOUT THE AUTHORAdam is a member of our Fairfield evening congregation.