“Why, I remember you when you were just a boy.  You couldn’t even tie your shoes.  And you’re gonna give me a ticket for speeding?  You ought to learn some respect for your elders son”!

I don’t know where, but I’m sure that has been said thousands of times to thousands of men.  And why not?  Men do it to God all the time.  Why not do it to men?

A man is given authority to accomplish the will of leaders in society, and evil hearts have utter contempt for him.  Others, on the other hand, respect the uniform, position and instilled authority.  It is rare to find that respect among those who knew the man before he was given such power.

“Only in his hometown, among his own relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor”, said Jesus.

“Jesus”, people say.  “Isn’t that the name of the one the Christians worship”?  Or the people say among themselves, “Jesus, isn’t that the babe in the manger in the Christmas story”?

Familiarity breeds contempt.  But only among those who are only willing to accept others according to their own perception.

If you limit Jesus to His earthly persona, you will hate Him.  But if you give thought to His rightful claim as the Son of God, you open the door to eternal life.  Quite the vast difference in outcome, isn’t it.

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them.  And He was amazed at their lack of faith”.  Doesn’t that sound like familiar territory?  Isn’t that the America most have come to know, trust and love?  So, “America” has become their replacement for God.  We could then conclude the nationalism is god to most Americans.

Yep, familiarity does breed contempt.  What will be the likely outcome?  Answer that yourself.

Just as an aside: I was raised in America. I have run around in its streets. I have been part of celebrations. And I have been taught her standards. You could say that I am familiar with America. But, after learning about the Lord Jesus, I have developed a certain contempt for America. Perhaps it shows………..

By His Grace.