Unbelief Is Blind to the Truth

From the desk of Pastor Ben

And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” (Matthew 13:57)

The people in Nazareth “took offense” (Greek, scandalize, from which we get the English word scandalize) at Jesus’ claims, especially since they came from one so ordinary, with no formal theological education or official religious status.
The New Testament does not tell us exactly what Jesus taught on either appearance in the Nazareth synagogue. However, during both occasions, the Lord caused His hearers to stumble at what He declared. No doubt he exposed the hypocrisy of their wicked desire for Him to perform miracles for miracles’ sake. He likely spoke to them as well about their sinfulness and need to repent. All in all, the people were antagonistic toward Jesus because their firm unbelief made them blind to the truth. “While seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:13; 1 Corinthians 1:23).
The gospel will offend a person until he allows god’s truth to plow up the hard soil of his heart. Then that man or woman must confess sin and forsake it. The truth of the gospel will be hidden and the blessing of knowing Christ will be lost until a person faces his sin in genuine repentance.

Ask Yourself:
You probably aren’t offended by Jesus. You love Him. You’ve given your heart to Him. But are you offended by what life with Him costs at times? Offended by the fact that obedience doesn’t always result in visible blessing? How should you deal with these instances of disillusionment?