Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own home town, among his relations and in his own home.” He could not do many miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. We was amazed at their lack of faith. (Matthew 6:4-6) In only two places in the Bible is Jesus “amazed.” The other one occurred when a centurion displayed great faith in Jesus. (Matthew 8:10)

Prophesy is a sign in itself, of the presence of God in a person. Jesus called himself a “Prophet,” knowing that he was and is more than that to God, and to his disciples. He expected his Israelite neighbors to recognize the Spirit of God in him, at least as much as in the prophets, but familiarity blinded his Nazareth home town neighbors and friends.

Jesus, knowing the Father, living in His presence, conscious of His loving presence, and knowing all those who had been sent by God before him, could hardly believe the indifference of his home town. True prophecy comes only from the character of God and rests upon those who have received God’s Holy Spirit. This experience of Jesus was a revelation that his humanity alone was not transparent to his friends and family at home in Nazareth, and that his ministry must take him away from there to find receptive Hebrew people who could perceive the Spirit of God in him and even come to know him.

This did happen in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in the town of Bethany, a walk of three or four days from Nazareth. Jesus’ raising of Lazarus led to both Jesus’ own death at the hands of those who would not accept him, and to deeper faith in those who loved him. After his resurrection, Jesus’ brother James became a leader among the apostles.

“Jesus was amazed,” and I wonder if Jesus could be amazed today. Would it be for sadness or for joy that he could be amazed? I believe that Jesus can still be amazed at the souls who turn from rejecting to accepting him in their lives. He can still be surprised by the one who changes course in the midst of opposition, and opens himself or herself to the Spirit of God in a way he or she had not done before. Jesus identified with Israel’s great prophets, but he knew that God had sent him to open the doors of heaven to ones who could find new live in him. He loves to be surprised by joy.

Love in Him,

Prue