Matthew 13:54-55
They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son?"
High school reunions are special but can make some insecure. In high school, like it or not, there was a social hierarchy and assumptions made. (evident in the classic high school movie, "The Breakfast Club") Kids wondered about their future. 20-30 years later at the reunion, people are affirmed or surprised at how their classmates turned out. Did they become business tycoons, school teachers, or drug addicts?
Matthew reports that Jesus returned to his region, presumably in the area around Nazareth, where he was raised. He begins teaching in the synagogue. The citizens question him because they know he and his family. They wonder, paraphrasing "how can he know all of this, after all he comes from a carpenter? There's no way he can have this kind of wisdom and knowledge."
We all are guilty of judging people based on their lineage, outward appearance and social status. Jesus came to present the word of God. We encounter good people, even at church, who are of less means or 'look.' We often dismiss them for our own prejudice. They have gifts to share but we turn our backs due to our assumptions. That is our loss. Pray today for an open heart to all and accept people who have a message of goodness and hope.
