relationships (Matthew 13:53-58) The Things We Should Remember

(Matthew 13:53-58)

53 When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. 54 And He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, with the result that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man acquire this wisdom and these miraculous powers? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is His mother not called Mary, and His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man acquire all these things?” 57 And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not dishonored except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY

Jesus' hometown, Nazareth, was not that big, having somewhere between 500 and 2,000 people, and most of them would have been Jewish.  Growing up in a "pioneer settlement" town that size, everybody seemed to know me.  Now, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as there is a culture of respect and sound morality.

There will be some legitimate reasons to move away from various dangerous areas and situations, but let me just say to anyone who currently lives in a small town and thinks that the answer to a happier life is to move to a city, it is most likely not.  If someone cannot manage the relationships around them, and then move somewhere else to escape an awkward or frustrating scenario, that person will most likely only "find" and/or create a similar situation, because wherever you are - there you are - you and all your awkward "quirks" and issues!!!  Without working on yourself (with God's help), all one has done is changed the location.

After high school, I actually lived in two very different cities, with completely different cultures,  both around 2 million people.  And I have to say, I was just as lonely as I was in my hometown, even after finding a few friends.  Since then, as I have now lived in many other types of towns and cities, I have realized my patterns, as well as some issues I personally needed to work on.  

Here are some of the things I have learned over the years.  The most important thing in my life is my relationship with the Lord!  And with that comes the importance to quickly find a church with sound doctrines, and get involved.  Simply attending church is not enough.  God created us to serve and asks that we use our gifts to serve Him and others.  As well, He as asks us that we do not neglect the meeting of the saints.  And knowing how people work, God knows that people are "shy", and put up walls, and all that nonsense, but when we worship, eat and work together, this is what will help break down walls!!!  In this we will find instant community with others who have everything in common.

Now to the issue of Jesus not being accepted and honored in His hometown...  People do struggle with a few other things, like gossiping and slandering, and believing in the gossip and the slander.  Now, if they actually witness our imperfections and we don't try to reconcile these things, people tend to also struggle with grace and forgiveness.  Even if one moves away from an area, and comes back 50 years later, they will remember how you WERE, and not necessary see or think how you might be now.  Right?  When we think back to childhood and that neighborhood bully, we typically imagine that the person they grew up to be is still a bully.  I mean, they might be, but they might have actually changed.  We don't know!

So, here's something important that believers need to work on!  When someone with an infamous past becomes a Christian, we should not look at them and think, or say, "Huh, well, we'll just see how long this lasts!"  With God's love, grace and patience, we should be praying for others, mentoring them, and encouraging them...  God is changing all of us from the inside out, and as we allow, He continues to work for us, in us and through us!  God is able to mature Christians with horrible pasts to become amazing testimonies - like, um, this one guy named Saul, who was in charge of persecuting and killing Christians, who upon "meeting Jesus" was renamed Paul, and wrote most of the New Testament.  And we see in scripture how many believers struggled to trust him at first.

Of course, Jesus didn't have past indiscretions or any sins at all.  He was and is holy and perfect!  Jesus is God!  Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  And no one can become a believer unless and until they open their spiritual ears and eyes to see, recognize, understand and believe in this... to believe IN Him.  And I still find it shockingly amazing how quickly we can see and/or experience a miracle, but then so quickly forget about it, or explain it away.  So then when we are faced with something, our bad memories will result in less faith, and therefore, we "limit" what God is able to do in our lives.  This is just one reason why we should be praying and in God's word everyday, and going to church, and getting involved!  We absolutely need constant reminders that the Lord God is sovereign...

(Mark 9:23) ...Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.”

(Genesis 18:14a)   Is anything too difficult for the Lord?...

(Mark 19:26)  ...Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

(Jeremiah 32:17) ‘Oh, Lord God! Behold, You Yourself have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too difficult for You'