In writing to the believers in Corinth, Paul states that, when seen from a worldly perspective, his mission would be deemed a failure due to his limitations. After all, Paul was a man whose appearance and oratory skills were unimpressive. However, Paul is able to continue preaching the gospel with an effort that defies even his own human limitations. In fact, the very existence of the community at Corinth is a powerful sign that the Spirit of God is present and working through him.

On returning to his hometown, Jesus faced a situation where people, because of their jealously and suspicion, perceived Him to be a man lacking in many talents. To them, as impressed as they were by his preaching, he was only the carpenter's son. In doing so, they fail to understand that he is the spirit-bearer foretold by the prophet Isaiah, the Messiah who will usher in a new age of freedom and divine favour. To them, his lowly origins are enough, not only to reject him, but to threaten him with hostility, and even death.

The message of Paul for the community in Corinth is that faith is not built on the merits of human beings, but on the power of God. The message of Luke is that even when rejected by his own people, the mission of Jesus continues. Yes, in spite of human limitations and rejection, God's divine work continues today. Nothing or no one can stop it from coming to completion. For now, it may seem as though evil is overcoming the world. In faith, however, we can be confident that God will emerge victorious.