He's One of Ours! (Mark 6:4)

Albert Einstein was one of the most brilliant scientists who ever lived. His theory of relativity revolutionized our thinking about time and space and opened the door to the atomic age. But when he first presented his theory, there were many doubters, for up to that point in time, there was no tangible way to test and prove his theory. Einstein was confident of the veracity of his findings and he wrote the following passage.

If relativity is proved right the Germans will call me a German, the Swiss will call me a Swiss citizen, and the French will call me a great scientist. If relativity is proved wrong the French will call me a Swiss, the Swiss will call me a German and the Germans will call me a Jew.

Albert Einstein (Translated from German in 1919)

Einstein was, of course, eventually proven correct. And as he predicted, many countries wanted to claim and honor him as one of their own.

Many centuries earlier, Jesus Christ proclaimed a similar sentiment. He had performed numerous miracles in many towns and cities; He had taught with authority. People everywhere acknowledged Him as a mighty prophet. Some even called Him the Messiah. But when He returned to His home town of Nazareth, the townspeople, the ones who knew His earthly family and had witnessed Him growing up, all rejected Him. They did not seek to claim Him as one of their own.

And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”
Mark 6:4 (ESV)

Sometimes, the people who know us the best will be the last people to accept us when we are successful or have gained fame. Surprisingly, it even happened to Jesus Christ. His own brothers and sisters rejected Him at first. But after His death and resurrection, the Bible records that two of His brothers, James and Jude, became believers, and later, leaders of the early Church. This happened because the Holy Spirit drew them to Him and convicted them of their sin and disbelief about their half-brother.

Einstein had to wait for many years before his own countrymen claimed him as their own. Jesus’ brothers waited until after His death and resurrection before they claimed Him as their own. Can Jesus Christ claim you as His own? Have you placed your trust in Him as your Lord and Savior? You do not have to wait for additional scientific proof or another family member or friend to first go forward. If you have heard the call of the Holy Spirit in your heart, answer it. Confess your sins and repent to Jesus Christ and accept His offer of salvation.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.