FAMILIARITY

It is said, 'What we value least is that which is most familiar to us'. Such was the case when Jesus returned to His hometown ... Nazareth.

Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands? Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” 

So they were offended by Him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Mark 6:1-6

Despite all that the townspeople witnessed (the wisdom of His teachings, the miracles wrought by His hands, and Jesus' overall comportment) ... hardened hearts prevented them from recognizing this 'lowly carpenter' as having any authority. 

In their minds, He could not be the promised Messiah. 

In today's recalcitrant, modernistic worldview, Jesus Christ remains so 'familiar' that even those who openly reject Him, repeatedly choose to use His name as a curse word. 

And sadly, among so-called believers, the overall impact of His Lordship is only weakened by their sparse 'familiarity' with Him. Through the hearing of redundant uninspired messages from a pulpit, the superficial study of scripture, and a repetitious prayer life lacking intimacy ... men go about establishing a 'form of godliness, but denying the power thereof'. 

Genuine worship that recognizes the awesome majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ ushers one into His presence ... and that kind of 'familiarity' will never 'breed contempt'. 

... whom, having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 1 Peter 1:8

Abide in Him to the point of an intense (yet still blossoming) 'familiarity', pilgrim.