The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet #4423

My Hi-lite:  The Mysteries of the Kingdom: the Period between the King's two advents, continued

Last visit to Nazareth (see Mark 6:1-6 contrast Luke 4:16-32)
Matthew 13:53  And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
54  And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
55  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56  And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
57  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.
58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
 

Matthew 13:53
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, He departed thence.
The word "finished" ties together all the individual parables of the sower into one complete parable, which simply means we must understand it all together as a whole! Now notice what Christ did when He departed thence.
[54] And when He was come into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
Once a person has sought and found the hidden treasure of knowledge and the priceless pearl of truth and wisdom... what happens? He or she goes forth to bring and share the good things out of the abundance of his treasure to his family and friends showing forth and doing the wonderful works of God! But alas, sometimes the reaction is less than positive from those who know you well, perhaps all too well in knowing you from your days of "partying", the former days of your life like Peter describes: 1 Peter 4:3 "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries." Therefore, be aware and know that the closeness of your family and their familiarity with you might become a stumbling block to them whereby they are not able to take you seriously when you bring forth the good things. Sometimes that can be overcome after a period of time living a changed life. Other times you just have to move on. Here is what they said concerning Jesus Christ Himself.
[55] Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Hey, we know this fellow! Is He not Mary's son?
[56] And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
His brothers and sisters were part of the local community. How can it be therefore that Christ has all this knowledge and wisdom? You "see", it was merely the fact of their familiarity and not even His actions, for Christ had no sins and did not fall short as we often do.
[57] 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.
They still stumbled because they looked upon Him as a common flesh man. Of course, many still do today and even say the precious Word of God cannot be true because it was written by flesh men. Unfortunately they shall remain in their unbelief and fall (stumble) in the great apostasy of these last days.
offended, skandalizo, skan-dal-id'-zo, Greek 4624; ("scandalize"); from Greek 4625 (skandalon); to entrap, i.e. trip up (figurative stumble [transitive] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) :- (make to) offend.
You "see", the children of the kingdom of heaven have honor in the kingdom, in their own country, in the house of their Father. And that is all that matters. John 15:19 "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
[58] And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Their unbelief was the fact that theycould not open their eyes beyond the flesh to be able to "see" and discover the precious hidden truths and pearls of wisdom standing right before their eyes! Therefore they remain ignorant of His Word and know not the difference between the holy and the profane, between the true Christ and the false messiah who shall appear first and to whom they will fall down and worship. And so shall they remain unclean and subject to the "separation" lest they open their eyes and ears to hear the simplicity of the Word of God.

How about you?

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear! (Matthew 13:43)

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

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