Why were the people of Jesus’ hometown offended by Him? It was because of their familiarity—they thought they knew who He was. They had watched Him grow up, work as a carpenter, and live among them. This familiarity led to assumptions that made it difficult for them to accept His true identity as the promised Messiah.
In much the same way, we can become overly familiar with the version of Jesus we grew up hearing about—through school, family traditions, or cultural portrayals. That early understanding, whether accurate or not, can continue to shape how we perceive Him today. But when the truth of Jesus, as revealed in God’s Word, confronts our assumptions, it can offend us and harden our hearts in unbelief. To truly encounter Jesus as He is, we must come to Him with humility—willing to unlearn, relearn, and submit to the truth of His Word. Only then can we fully experience the abundant life He offers.