This past weekend at Eastbrook, I began a new preaching series, “Who Do You Say I Am?” by looking at a little episode at the end of Matthew, chapter 13, on Jesus’ visit home to Nazareth and the response He receives from people there. This leads us into a little exploration of the questions we ask, our blind spots, and what it means to truly pursue Jesus in our lives.

This message is part of the sixth part of our longer series on Matthew, which includes “Family Tree,” “Power in Preparation,” “Becoming Real,” “The Messiah’s Mission,” and “Stories of the Kingdom.”

You can find the message video and outline below. You can also view the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.’”  (Matthew 13:57)

Amazed by Jesus (Matthew 13:53-54)

The power of Jesus’ teaching

Echoes of the Sermon on the Mount

Different kinds of amazement

Misunderstanding Jesus (Matthew 13:55-57)

Different types of questions:

• rhetorical questions
• probing questions

Knowing what we know and what we don’t know

Faith seeking understanding versus pride reinforcing ignorance

The end: offended by Jesus

Making It Real

Asking the right questions of Jesus

The life in pursuit of Jesus The radical openness to Jesus

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Dig Deeper:

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Draw, paint, or ink this story as a way of reflecting on what is happening and what you are learning about who Jesus.
• Journal about your questions for Jesus, taking time to let the Holy Spirit search your heart about what you bring to Jesus. Then journal the questions you think Jesus may be asking you in your life.
• Consider reading a book about Jesus, such as Philip Yancey’s The Jesus I Never Knew or N. T. Wright’s Simply Jesus.
• Consider watching a theatrical version of Jesus’ life, such as The Jesus Film or The Chosen.