The Prophet Without Honor

And Jesus told them “A prophet is not unhonored anywhere but in his hometown and among his relatives and in his house”;  Mark 6:4 (Byington)

There are many themes or subjects within Christianity which Jesus did not touch on directly in His ministry.  But we do have ones which He did feel pertinent enough to deal with personally by giving us insight and instruction.  This view that Christ had towards a prophet can also shed a little light upon our condition today.  He needed to deal with the issue because in His own home area people were skeptical and limiting His efforts to bring them in contact with the Father.

Now inside our churches today one may find lively or solemn meetings.  We may find worshippers extremely devoted or merely frequenting for social fellowship or approval.  The attitude may range from casual disinterest to fanatical.  Whatever the case, the true test is not on the level of any of these attributes or attitudes.  The bottom line has got to be in nearness to the presence of God.  The one true test is that the Spirit of God is overwhelmingly active and acutely sensed in each moment.

Once we remove the direct relation of the Divine from any moment or anything, we have stepped outside of our boundaries and are no longer inside of the will of God.  This is en essence sin.  We turn to something of our own fabrication or will.  We turn to gratify something of our own and in doing so, turn our backs on the Lord.

So what has this got to do with the prophet or to our churches today?  Everything!  Couldn´t we call the churches of God His own country, territory, family and home?  Shouldn´t the Lord feel a strong kinship, and at home within each of our souls?

The prophet is the individual or worker of bringing our hearts in tune with our Lord.  This urging is sent out from above to draw our souls to a point where we can be adjusted to and restored to our Creator.  Anything or anyone so directed as to draw the hearts of the children of God into His presence is set upon a Holy mission.  It is a pure and noble act.  But should it fall short of reaching its goal, then it is a tragic situation indeed.

Therefore once again the point of Jesus´ message is not in directing our attention towards people who work as we do to reach the Father´s side.  Jesus consistently points us and directs us to His Father.  He wants true restoration.  He showed by example and word, that we should follow His lead and work to bring every soul into living contact; bowed, purified and devoted to the One we love.  This is not a mechanical process but a true relationship, shared, felt and lived by the seeking individual.

So if we find ourselves feeling too comfortable or familiar with the work of Jesus, then perhaps His effectiveness in leading our souls is being limited.  We need to be on our guards that we do not remove the power and honor of the prophet from our midst.  We need to see His hand and message at work and make all effort to elevate that work.  That work will be in setting souls within reach of the Father in living experience.

Dear Lord, we stand in confusing times.  Lines may have been blurred by constant repetition or by overfamiliarity.  We hear the warning and press forward for closer unity.  Please let us not dishonor the Messenger that would bring us closer You today. 

Amen