2/8/11 John 4:43-46 A Welcoming People

43 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.

Thoughts: Luke records that early in his ministry Jesus went to Nazareth but was rejected there by Jesus' own towns people and distant relatives.  They even threatened to throw him off the cliff. John does not mention his going to Nazareth (not far from Cana)- perhaps on purpose.  John says little about Nazareth except quoting Nathanael who says, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"  Thomas Wolfe (speaking of Asheville, NC) said, "You can never go home again." The Galileans as a whole welcomed Jesus, but Jesus was not honored in his own town.  Jesus once said, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me."  We are called to be a welcoming people in the name of the Lord.

Prayer: Help, me Lord to welcome others- especially those who come in your name.