Since Adam and Eve in the Garden, we humans have turned aside from God’s counsel to listen to someone else. As did Jesus’ own family members and those in church leadership. For whatever reason, they chose unbelief in His power and deity. What reason do we choose when we deny, disobey, or desert Him? Such thoughts can—and should—draw us to repentance daily.
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair
A prophet is without honor in his own country
When I was a kid, I tended to listen to the advice of other mothers more than my own. Years later, as a mother, I found that my children did the same. They paid little attention to my words when it came to practical information and advice that might help them in their maturity. They instead took more heed to the words of their teachers, their friends’ parents, and even TV broadcasters. They seemed to have more faith in the advice of others than in their own mothers.
Who knows why kids don’t listen to their parents? Could it be because of familiarity? Embarrassment? Jealousy or guilt about their immaturity? Likely most kids think they know all the answers so they have no need to listen to Mom or Dad.
For many, the advice we adults offer is more positively accepted by people outside our family relationships. For instance, when it comes to spiritual advice or counsel, I often receive favorable comments about my Eternal Perspectives columns from people I either don’t know or don’t see often. By the way, to you who respond positively, thank you very much. On the other hand, some of my own kin are the most silent or critical. Not that I’m looking for accolades. My goal is to help promote God’s Kingdom.
Jesus faced criticism from his relatives while He lived on earth. He was practically ignored by them and by those in His hometown. But it was strangers who flocked to Him for healing and his God-given messages about the Kingdom of God.
Mark 6:4-6 says: “Jesus said to them, ‘Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house, is a prophet without honor.’ Jesus could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them. And He was amazed at their lack of faith.”
Perhaps you, too, have found it hard to talk to close kin and even friends about the things of God’s Kingdom. It’s much easier to do so with strangers. Sometimes God may be nudging us to walk away and let someone else do the talking, instead urging us to merely show Christ’s love by our actions. Whether we use our voices or silent expressions of love, we can still pray that they will somehow accept His truth.
Lord, guide us as we share Your love with others. Tell us when to speak and when to let someone else do the speaking. Help us to be like discerning mothers in showing Your love in such a way that our loved ones will see Jesus in us. Amen.
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