“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.” – Mark 6:3
It can be difficult to overcome the way people are used to thinking about someone. When Jesus visited His hometown, the residents couldn’t see or understand His power or wisdom. They merely saw the boy and young man they’d known for years as a carpenter. They saw the son and brother of their neighbors. Because of their preconceived ideas about Jesus, they completely missed the Messiah, the Lord’s Salvation, and the Son of God standing in their midst. In fact, they became angry with Him because He no longer acted in the way they expected.
Many people you meet have a preconceived idea about Jesus. They may consider Him a wise teacher or a good guy. They may consider Him an oddball. They may think that Jesus is a myth or a legend. They may believe He’s a prophet. Your challenge is to help them see Jesus as He truly is: the eternal Son of God and the only way of salvation. What Bible stories can you tell that reveal the true Jesus? What Bible study could you invite them to do with you to open their eyes?
Most people who have an idea about Jesus haven’t read the Bible. They haven’t read the Gospel accounts or considered the careful writing intended to reveal Jesus in His power and glory. How can you, a follower of Jesus, help them meet Jesus? How can you stir them to reconsider what they think they know about the way, the truth, and the life? #FollowJesus