Is Not This the Carpenter's Son
Audio:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/s2NiPMir6U0?list=PL4ByrircmXL6qt2QplU6IudoOYVgzBS3C
The people of Nazareth rejected Him. Is not this the carpenter's son? they said. Matthew 13:55
The words of Jesus to His hearers in the synagogue struck at the root of their self-righteousness, pressing home upon them the bitter truth that they had departed from God and forfeited their claim to be His people. Who is this Jesus? they questioned. Unbelief, having once been cherished, continued to control the men of Nazareth. So it controlled the Sanhedrin and the nation. With priests and people, the first rejection of the demonstration of the Holy Spirit's power was the beginning of the end.
What a contrast between His teaching in regard to the new kingdom and that which they had heard from their elder! Jesus had said nothing of delivering them from the Romans. They had heard of His miracles, and had hoped that His power would be exercised for their advantage, but they had seen no indication of such purpose.
As they opened the door to doubt, their hearts became so much the harder for having been momentarily softened.