I know a man..........

When he came to a distant church as a visiting minister he was greeted and honored. People were thankful for the gift of God he brought to them. He was called by his name and his gift appellation. Those there were genuinely appreciative of his ministry and the offering of himself he brings.

When he came as a guest minister to another church in another direction and was asked to bring a word or administer a sacrament people responded by saying. "Please come back, we need what you bring". This was not a disservice to the Pastor of the Church, it was a recognition of a ministry gift that manifests when the man I know was given free reign to exercise it.

In a third Church in another direction when this man visits as he did fairly often he was always asked to bring a word of encouragement. He was asked to minister to the people. He was placed in a place of opportunity for the flock to access the gift of God he carries. He can never leave that church without the leader saying with deep appreciation, "Thank you for coming to release the Gift God placed in you among us,come back soon, we need you."

This isn't about Honor (although some might read it that way). It's about receiving the Gift of God when it dwells among you.

In this man's own Church he is accepted and received by some and reviled by others. Needless to say for the most part the gift of God is neutered among because of a lack of engagement. It's easy enough to say, "No man is a prophet in his own home town". But the consequence of that is "He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief."

Therein lies the danger. Jesus, the man I knew, was honored and reviled depending on how he was released in ministry he was among the people he was with. In his day it was villages.  In today's time it is churches.

This still goes on today. The hungry beg for the bread of life and  Pharisees trample it underfeet by tradition.  The village (Church) lies in darkness because the light is darkened by Pharisees.  Bondage remains because chains are institutionalized, even honored.  I have this huge chain but I'm suffering for Jesus in it.  Jesus didn't want us to suffer, he wanted us out of out chains.

Judgment will be harsh for them. "I was with you and yet I knew you not, depart from me."