And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” Mark 6:4
This proverb-like statement is jam-packed with sharp truth. Its bite seems to be two-fold. First, Jesus implies he is not without honor. Throughout the Gospel of Mark we see Jesus’ fame spreading. Word of Jesus continues to bring more and more people from across ancient lands to witness his ministry firsthand. And many are demonstrating great faith in Jesus. However, there is an exception. The people in closest proximity to Jesus do not give him the honor due his name.
There are times when we are so close to something it becomes hard to realize how amazing it is. This happens when we see the same beauty around us for a long period of time and take it for granted. This happens when we self-evaluate seeing all of our faults and failures but neglecting to honor the good parts within us. This happens when we get so engrossed and frustrated in the fine detail of our work, we miss the spectacular nature of our creativity or the progress we’ve made thus-far.
Unfortunately, we do this with our loved ones too. We overlook their value, their purpose, and their significance. And, we fail to show them honor. For when we see mood swings, blind spots, and specific tangles with sin, it’s hard to recognize how someone might be set apart by God for a unique purpose in life. In Romans 12:10, Paul links together our love for others and demonstrating honor. He says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Let’s begin to honor the people around us by tearing down any barrier that may be keeping us from noticing God’s fingerprints in their lives. Spend a few minutes now asking yourself what stops you from seeing God’s work in those you live with in closest proximity?
By Yvonne Biel
