PROPHETS AND APOSTLES
Mark 6
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Prophets generally had a hard time and John the Baptist was no different. One key role of a prophet was to be the moral compass of the nation and for John, that role cost him his head.
In the lengthier version of the narrative of Jesus’ homecoming in Luke 4, in the end the people tried to kill him but he somehow escaped.
You don’t read of prophets living a comfortable life yet they stuck to their role because of their deep love for God and for their people, seeking to help the nation obey God and so survive; but even then their efforts were in vain and ultimately Israel ceased to exist.
The Apostles were not spared the scars of battle either. Jesus, in John 16, spoke of travails not unlike the pain of childbirth but assured them that joy awaits them at the end. The Holy Spirit will be their companion in battle and God himself will attend to their prayers. Even then, they, and by extension, we, can expect that the journey as disciples of Jesus would be challenging.
This is a far cry from the usual expectation of God solving all our problems, rescuing us from the troubles that we encounter as we navigate this life. While Jesus sought to strengthen the resolve of his disciples to face the challenges of establishing a godly presence in a godless world, the modern church seems bent on perpetuating the fantasy of a God who is at our beck and call to solve our problems.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)