John 4:43-54 – After the two days He left for Galilee. 44 (Now Jesus Himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45 When He arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed Him. They had seen all that He had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there. 46 Once more He visited Cana in Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to Him and begged Him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. 48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” 49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” 53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed. 54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.
“After the two days he left for Galilee.” The two days that the Samaritans had asked Him to stay. (V40)
“(Now Jesus Himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45 When He arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there.” There are varying thoughts concerning about where Jesus was referring to when He said “his own country.” The easier thought may be that, since He was arriving in Galilee, He was speaking of Galilee. However the following verse may give reason to believe that Jesus was not speaking of Galilee (“they welcomed Him.”)
It is true that Jesus was raised in the Galilee region, but we remember that He was not born there but was instead born in Bethlehem in Judea. So was Jesus referring to Judea where He was born or was He referring to Galilee where He grew up?
Many believe that Jesus was not referring to Galilee or Bethlehem, but to Jerusalem. The reason being is that to the Jews, the true home to all Jews, and the center of worship, and the place of the Temple, was Jerusalem. Therefore the home to the Messiah, where He was to worship and lead from was Jerusalem. So, Jerusalem is the strong choice and we know that Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders there, rejected Him. So since the people of Galilee enthusiastically welcomed Him it Jerusalem seems to be the place that He was speaking of.
The truth of Jesus’ statement seems to be alive today also, though not in all situations. Sometimes the place a tradesman learned his trade will always think of that person as a “rookie” who has much to learn, even after he knows the trade very well. Sometimes it takes moving to another company for skills to be appreciated.
Sometimes a mother’s own family may not realize all that she does for them because they have become accustomed to it. Yet a visiting friend may observe how she takes care of her family and will respect her for all she does. Oftentimes, though not all the time, it is not the ones who have lived with us, who have seen us grow up, who appreciate how the Lord has blessed us. Certainly those who saw us grow up remember all our mistakes and it can be difficult in their estimation to move from that reputation, that shadow, to whom we have become. Some of those that saw Jesus grow up could not see whom He was revealed to be. They just saw a person who grew up around them. To them He was just Jesus “from the block.” And those were people who refused to see who He really was.
When people can only see us as we were and not as what we are, sometimes it time to move on. Not in anger, but as guided by the Holy Spirit. The Lord may be wanting us to move on to do the things that He wants us to do and to become all that He wants us to become. Jesus desired that Jerusalem would welcome Him and the blessings that He wished to give them, but they resisted. (Matthew 23:37) He needed to minster there but also to move on and minister in other places. So it may be for us. Sometimes the Lord wants us to stay and minister around where we were raised. Sometimes we are called to other places and so, being where He wants us to be, we have the opportunity to do the things that God has for us to do and to be who He wants us to be. And after all, isn’t that the point of it all? To be what God wants us to be and to do what He wants us to do as we walk in faith and obedience with Him. Sounds like Heaven. Well, at least Heaven on earth as we walk the journey to our Heavenly home. Praise God! Always obey and trust God! He has a plan. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.