Saturday 18 October 2025
"Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary?" (v. 55)
Background
Today we read of Jesus returning home to teach in the synagogue where he most likely grew up. While we read in Luke 4 that his return was celebrated, at least initially, here we read that familiarity had bred contempt.
I wonder how many times I have failed to look beyond the obvious and allowed my knowledge of someone’s history to dictate my behaviour towards them.
This is the last day of our week of prayer for all those affected by imprisonment, and today the focus is on families. Jesus’ family – Mary, Joseph and his four brothers – were all well known to the community, and so the community presumed that Jesus was well known to them. But their view was very limited. They failed to see beyond the family history and to recognise the unaccountably wise and authoritative teacher before them.
The families of those affected by imprisonment are often a part of the great unseen. They are some of the most hidden victims of crime. The result of failing to see the unseen was devastating for Jesus’ community in the first century, and so it can be for us today. While the word of God, which is at the heart of the theme for Prisons Week this year, is not chained, the activity of Jesus was clearly affected by the community’s inability to see beyond his upbringing and beyond their knowledge of his family.
I wonder if there are times when what I know of a situation or of a person has clouded my vision, so I don't see the bigger picture of God’s activity. While we all need to learn from mistakes we have made in the past, I am challenged by this passage to think that I need to look beyond my own limited perspective and see the bigger picture that is God’s masterpiece in the making. Crime and the justice system affect so many, including a prisoner’s daughter, a victim’s husband, and a prison officer’s grandparent. Let us learn to look beyond the obvious and dare to imagine the possibilities that God may have in mind. May we glimpse the miraculous potential.
To Ponder:
- What society attitudes do we currently accept that maybe we need to think about more deeply?
- If Jesus was more than just 'the carpenter’s son', then who would you say he is? What difference does this make in practical terms in your life?
- Who is most affected in your community by people's limited understanding of their history? Is there anything that you can do to help develop your own understanding?
Prisons Week Prayer
Today's prayer comes from Ann, a prisoner’s daughter.
Lord Jesus, we are so quick to judge when you would pour out grace, mercy and love. Open our eyes to the hidden victims of justice – the children and families of the convicted. Give strength to those supporting loved ones and all those striving to fix a broken system. May all those affected by imprisonment know that the good news of God's kingdom is for them. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Bob Wilson
The Revd Bob Wilson is the Free Churches Faith Advisor to His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service. He works with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that Methodist and all other Free Churches prison chaplains (over 220 of them) are appointed and supported appropriately. Bob has been involved in prisons ministry in voluntary, paid, ordained and lay capacities for over 30 years, sits on the Board of Reference of Prisons Week and is a trustee of The Welcome Directory, a charity seeking to help faith communities to become even better at welcoming people who leave prison.