⁵² “You aren’t from Galilee too, are you?” they replied. “Investigate and you will see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” (John 7:52 CSB)

More than likely we have all been subjected to a background check. Employment checks have extended to looking people up on social media to get a feel for a persons personal and other activities.

Few of these go to the point of checking where someone grew up or where they came from. In fact, culturally, we have laws against this type of discrimination. But in Jesus time no such laws existed. A person could and was very much judged on their culture and their place of origin. Many would argue that this type of discrimination does still exist today.

But Jesus did not let this define him. He did not let what others thought curb his desire to do the Father’s will. He drove through the lies and slander of who he was and focused purely upon the Father’s plan for his life. He let God direct the actions, not what others said.

We too must at times drive through keeping focus upon the goal. Letting nothing turn our attention aside. Not allowing our background to define us. Not allowing the baggage of a life lived or the parents we had deter us from our God given task.