The Cost of Familiarity

Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:55-58)

The people in Jesus’ hometown refused to recognize who He was because they had been around Him for so long. They had become too familiar to truly receive from Him. Their refusal to honor Him blocked God's power from working among them. In fact, they took offense at His ministry. The Greek word for "offended" is skandalizó, which means to trip, to stumble, or to reject. They weren’t offended because He sinned or said something wrong. They were offended because He didn’t fit into their expectations. Offense can close your heart to what God is trying to do. You can’t receive from someone you’re offended by.

Jesus explained that He was not honored in His hometown. Honor attracts the anointing, and dishonor pushes it away. It wasn’t that Jesus didn’t want to do miracles; He couldn’t because of their lack of honor. This breaks the idea that some have that blames God when things happen or don’t happen. It’s actually the people who control the flow of miracles. The faith of believers together determines how much is manifested. It’s not about catching God in the right mood or trying to manipulate Him with begging or sacrifices. That’s why the enemy attacks our faith so fiercely; he knows that if we get offended or dishonor God, we disconnect ourselves from Heaven’s power.

The Holy Spirit is always ready to move and work in miracles, but faith is what flips the switch. Jesus didn’t change His mood from Capernaum to Nazareth; it was the hunger and honor of the people that changed.

Practical Application

If you want to receive from leaders and pastors in your life, make it a point to sow honor. Guard your heart from offense at all costs by sowing honor to those around you.

Luke 4:24; John 4:44