The reference is interestingly enough
not taken from John’s narrative. The
words are found in the three other Gospels, the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew
13:17; Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24). A second
interesting insight is that only John places these words before Jesus returns
to his homeland, while the other three books mention Jesus making this
statement concurrent or immediately after having gone to visit his family in
Nazareth. Are these two distinct references? Does it matter?
Well, it seems to me there is a second
reference. Unlike the others which were
made in response to the unbelief of his countrymen, this verse in the Gospel of
John, appears to be a parenthetical statement made by the author himself
referencing a prior time when Jesus had in fact made the comment after
encountering resistance from his fellow Nazarenes. Why John chooses this particular moment to
make this allusion is unclear until we go on in the story line.
Jesus is returning to his
homeland—Galilee. That much we
know. Can it be that John remembers the
previous time they had come when Jesus had barely survived a near-death
experience? (Read Luke 4) What is it
about home that draws Jesus back for solace (Matthew 4:12) or relaxation (John
2:12), while at the same time bringing to mind the reality that “familiarity
breeds contempt” even for a prophet? If
this is true for Jesus, the Sinless One, how much more difficult is it for me,
with a litany of transgressions to my credit?
Why does God entrust the task of revealing the Heavenly Father to the
likes of me with such a checkered past?
Yet he does. It’s got to be all
about the message, not the messenger. I am nothing but a “wounded healer”
called to share the wonders of a God who uses brokenness as an asset and
frailty as a strength. To God be the glory!
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