astonished offense (Mt 13:53-58)

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Psalm 116-117; Matthew 13:53-58


"A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household."
(Matthew 13:57)

This section begins with one of Matthew's five summary transitions that mark the end of the five discourses of Jesus (cf. 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1): "And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished..."

And we're thinking "Great! Wow! The hometown folks are really impressed with Jesus' teaching. More fruit for the harvest!" But we soon find that astonishment doesn't necessarily lead to belief. Immediately questions arise, perhaps out of jealousy, certainly out of unbelief (v. 58). They were receiving the input of his words, which were amazing, through some kind of a filter of familiarity which probably led to suspicion and resistance and perhaps even a controlling attitude that would not adjust to the rearranged chairs at the town gathering.

"And they took offense at him."

"Blessed is he who does not take offense at me," Jesus said in response to John the Baptist's question that arose out of his not understanding how Jesus could be the one to come and he was in prison (11:1-6). John was seeking, he was soft and receptive to the Messiah, and Jesus honored him in the following verses. Though astonished, Jesus' hometown pridefully reacted against their own amazement. They were not seeking and receptive to their king.

Being amazed with Jesus doesn't mean you trust him, submit your heart and will to him; to be impressed does not mean you let him do a mighty work in your life. Familiarity can breed contempt. Tickled ears or even a stirred heart doesn't mean a new heart, a converted, consecrated life, or faith.

This pericope illustrates in real life some of what Jesus was teaching in his parables through this chapter 13 discourse. In the parable of the four soils / hearts at the beginning of the chapter we hear of three types of soil that yielded a response, a movement in response to the message of the kingdom - but only one yielded a harvest. That parable seems to say that a response to Jesus, being moved by him, having a good spiritual feeling, even beginning to walk with him, does not mean that one truly "understands" him and his message and is growing and bearing fruit.

By all means be amazed by Jesus! But as one who is still teaching you wonderful things about himself and his kingdom - not as one you have figured out and in a box. Yes, be amazed and believe.

I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the LORD.
(Psalm 116:17)

Praise the LORD, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!
(Psalm 117)