Matthew 13:54-57 — And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

So, were you raised in a Christian family, Bible-Believing, church-attending, God-honoring …? I wasn’t, and nor was my beloved Myra. So here’s a funny thing. One of the most disruptive things either of us ever did in our lives was form a new relationship. When we gave our lives to Christ, each of us — in our way — messed up a whole lot of other relationships.
In a way, (OK, it was a very small way), we both had the same problem Jesus had. We challenged people’s perceptions and expectations of us, and ran into a wall of resentment.
“Son of a carpenter grows up, running around town, plays with the other kids … studies with the Rabbi … and now He’s working miracles, He’s explains the Torah to us? I don’t think so!” “You know, there was something funny about His birth … some story … Mary’s a fine woman, and the rest of her children, but maybe He should keep His head down”.
When Jesus brought the kingdom to His home town, His home town did not respect the unexpected. So it is, all to often with new Christians. When we bring Jesus into our home towns — or at least when we try to introduce Him to our family and old friends, they are not always impressed.
So this leads to another thought? When we become Christians should we give up all our old connections and relationships. Should we let go of all the skills and gifts that have previously endeared us (we hope) to friends and family? That’s not what Jesus expects. The last thing He said to His disciples before returning to Nazareth was “Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” (Matthew 13:52 KJV). When we become Christians (“instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven”) we bring our own gifts (“treasures”) … and out of those treasures we bring new and old things.
So how are we we to deal with those people who turn on us when we turn to Jesus? I’m thinking we need to keep on irritating! That irritation may be the one thing they need to make them look into what’s got into us. That might bring them into the kingdom. Their irritation at the change in us might be the grain of sand that turns into a pearl for them!