Friday 14 October 2022

Psalm 78:1-7

Background

Since Jesus' disciples sometimes struggled to understand him, it is perhaps not surprising that the people in his home town found his teaching incomprehensible too. Their bewilderment, however, was not so much about what Jesus was saying as about how he had gained such wisdom. He was, after all, just an ordinary local boy, the carpenter's son. I wonder whether they took offence not because of what he said, but because they were envious of him. It can be hard when we discover that someone we think is our equal is actually in a completely different league.

It must have been hard for Jesus too. We don't normally expect to be rejected by our own community. However, Jesus' response suggests that the reaction from his own people wasn't a complete surprise. He says: "Prophets are not without honour except in their own country and in their own house" (v. 57). It's interesting that Jesus clearly didn't just give up and leave after such a frosty reception. We are told that he didn't do ‘many' deeds of power there. The implication is that he did some!

Chapter 13 began with Jesus leaving ‘the house’ (v. 1) and going to teach by the lake. Later in the chapter he goes back into to ‘the house’ (v. 36) which gives the disciples the chance to have a private tutorial about what he is saying. The chapter ends with him returning to his hometown, but this is probably not where ‘the house’ was. A house is not necessarily the same as a home – but I am glad that there was a house in which, it seems, Jesus was able to rest and take stock with his disciples before going out again to continue teaching people about the kingdom of heaven.

To Ponder:

• Why do you think the people took offence at Jesus?
• What makes a house a home?

Prayer

This week as we continue to be mindful of those without homes, we pray, loving God, that you will bless all who sleep under bridges, on park benches, in doorways, in bus stations... And may we do all we can to help them. Amen.