The Hometown Hero

Scripture Reading

Opening Prayer

Introduction

Small town hometown hero

Review

Matthew

Finished discourse fo parables

Preview

Today’s passage is short and fairly strait forward.

Will work through text, then apply it.

Matthew 13:53 ESV

And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there,

This “formula” appears at the end of the discourses in Matthew

Structure of Matthew

As we have discussed before, we are, for the next several weeks hear about the reactions of various people to Jesus and His ministry. This is of particular interest to Matthew who is presenting Jesus as the Messiah who did not do what was expected.

“He went away from there”

Where did he go?

Home

Matthew 13:54 ESV

and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?

Jesus standard practice was to teach. He would teach in Synagogues and outside.

Here he comes to the place he grew up.

Luke tells us that this is Nazareth. (Not Bethlehem)

He is now teaching in the Synagogue where He worshipped as he was growing up.

Story of me going back home for a season

Jesus’ fame had spread at this point to where people in his hometown had heard that He was a gifted teacher and was performing miracles.

The townspeople ask the right question, but like the Pharisees before them, come to the wrong conclusion.

They essentially ask “ what is the source of Jesus’ power and wisdom.

Matthew 13:55–56 ESV

Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

Their reaction continues in this series of questions.

They are saying, we know this kid

He is from Nazareth

He shouldn’t be this smart

Look at His family.

He is the son of a carpenter and a carpenter Himself (Mark)

Side note: Jesus had brothers and sisters.

“Where then did this man get all these things?”

Their Conclusion

Matthew 13:57–58 ESV

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.” And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

As I said earlier, they townspeople come to the wrong conclusion.

I don’t usually read to you the parallel accounts.

Explain

In Luke we read more

Luke 4:16–30 ESV

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23 And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘ “Physician, heal yourself.” What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’ ” 24 And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away.

Explain Luke passage

reluctant to share

wanted you to see how strongly these people were offended

offended is a strong word in Greek, not so much in 21st century American English

Matthew 13:57–58 ESV

57 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.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Main Idea: Jesus is the Messiah yet Many Reject Him

Applications:

Recognize that while you are on Mission, there are many who will never believe.

We have already seen in the parables before that some have been given “ears to hear.” Notice Jesus’ reaction to those who have not been given those ears.

Matthew 13:58

Matthew 13:58 ESV

58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Our task in our mission to the world does not involve arguing and convincing.

John 6:44

John 6:44 ESV

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

“draws” literally means “drags” as in dragging a dead body

God calls us to be faithful in going and making disciples. That involves proclaiming the gospel (good news)

Don’t ask God, what can I do to convince this person to believe.

Don’t ask me

Instead ask God to save them.

Be faithful in proclaiming but it is God who drags us to salvation.