MUSINGS - October 10, 2018
BACKHANDED COMPLIMENT
Mark 6:1-6
Jesus left that place and went to his hometown. His disciples followed him. When the day of worship came, he began to teach in the synagogue. He amazed many who heard him. They asked, "Where did this man get these ideas? Who gave him this kind of wisdom and the ability to do such great miracles? Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" So they took offense at him. But Jesus told them, "The only place a prophet isn't honored is in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own house." He couldn't work any miracles there except to lay his hands on a few sick people and cure them. Their unbelief amazed him. Then Jesus went around to the villages and taught.
Do you know what a backhanded come is? It sounds like a compliment with a zinger attached. Examples: "You are very attractive in an obese sort of way." "I always feel smarter when I'm around you."
Jesus received these backhanded compliments from the people of his home town. "He sounds amazing ... for a carpenter." Jesus have them the message of life. But they couldn't hear it because of their familiarity with the messenger. They remembered him as the kids who played in the dirt and the rocks into the sea. That filter of familiarity blinded them to the eternal truths of his message.
An expert is someone from fifty miles away, a prophet isn't honored at home, and familiarity breeds contempt. These are all truths and proofs of the world in which we live.
I would hate to be forever judged by the things I did as a child. I thought as a child and I spoke as a job. But I'm no longer a child. By God's grace I am a new creation with my pay forgiven and my future secure.
How are you perceived by those who have known you the longest? How is your witness to them?
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