9. No Honor Among Your Own

John 4: 44  For Jesus himself testified that a prophet hath no honor in his own country.

It is a curious occurrence that the people who know us best often tend to fail to give us due honor. Perhaps we are too ordinary, too familiar, or even too successful or talented as in the case of Jesus. They refuse to give us the credit we earned or deserved.
   
     Matthew fills in the details for us. Jesus was too familiar: "Is not this the carpenter's son? We know his mother--Mary, and his siblings--James, Joses, Simon, and Judas. We also know all his sisters. They live right here in Nazareth. Where did he get all  this education from? Who does he think he is?" (Matthew 13: 54-57). Matthew concludes sadly that  "he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." Consequently, Jesus removed himself from his haters and took his gifts to Galilee.
    
     Are you trying hard to prove yourself to people who should believe and trust you but refuse to accept you or your ministry? You may need to remove yourself from them and take your message to another audience. It is interesting how you never find Jesus forcing himself on anyone. He advised his disciples to shake the dust off their feet and move on when they came to a home that rejected them.

     Don't waste time. Don't get into unproductive arguments and fights. Move on, just as Jesus did. You might not be the one called to sow in that field. Your field may be elsewhere. Pray and be certain that you are where God planted you.

Lord, my people are not accepting of the message you gave me. Show me where to take it, where souls are awaiting the message of salvation, deliverance, and life everlasting. Amen.