Why No Honor?

In Mark 6, Jesus is back in his home town of Nazareth. He teaches in the synagogue and astonishes the listeners. However, instead of this leading to HONOR, it leads to DISHONOR for Christ.

The home town folks begin to reason, "Hey, he's one of us! We know his family. He was a carpenter before he went on this itenerant tear throughout the country. Who does He think He is??"

Jesus' response to this? "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household." Mark 6:4

What is it about hometown folks, family, even fellow church members that causes them to dishonor one of their own when others find it so easy to honor them?

• Is it jealousy? Are they envious that a hometown son or daughter has "made it good" while they have not (in their estimation)? Are they set on bringing him down a few notches in the estimation of others so that he is nearer their own level?
• Is it a basic misunderstanding of how God gifts and calls His children? 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that the triune God sovereignly gives gifts to His Spirit-indwelt children. But these gifts differ in kind, in how they are expressed, and in their effectiveness. These differences are basically God's doing. Is this dishonoring of the fruitful brother or sister an attack against God himself?
• Is it because this fruitful brother is living a God-centered, wholly-devoted, radically-trusting life and can therefore be used more fully than I can in my unbelieving, holding-back state? Is his/her very usableness and fruitfulness an indictment against my half-heartedness?
• Is it because WE want the glory and notice and honor and atta-boys of our fellow believers and can't stand the thought that someone else is stealing them from us?
• Is it because we have never learned to find our joy and contentment in Christ Himself, instead of in the praise of men? If what feeds the hunger and thirst of our soul is not Christ, there is no lasting or edifying satisfaction to be found.

Whatever the cause of dishonoring or refusing to honor our brothers and sisters in their service to God and to us...it is SIN.

• "Love...does not envy" 1Corinthians 13:4
• "Outdo one another in showing honor" Romans 12:10
• Regarding those who serve sacrificially, Paul writes, "...Honor such men."
• Elders (pastors) who serve well are worthy of "double honor" 1Timothy 5:17

Jesus' parable is surely true. But it SHOULD NOT BE TRUE OF US!! Especially in the church. We should honor one another, especially those who give their all in service to Christ and the church. Do you have good leaders? TELL THEM! AFFIRM THEM! Is there someone who loves you and encourages you? LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY BLESS YOU! SEND CARDS. SEND EMAILS. TELL OTHERS when they are in your presence. TAKE them to lunch. LET THEM KNOW you pray for them. BE SPECIFIC about how they bless you. TELL them that they are an example of faithfulness and servanthood. LET THEM KNOW that their service is NOT IN VAIN. WILL YOU HUMBLE yourself enough to EXALT SOMEONE else? Will you find your SATISFACTION in Christ alone so that you relate to others from a surplus that can honor and not a deficit that makes you a soul-parasite?

Let's be part of turning the tide of dishonor and lack of honor in the church.