Good morning! Did you ever grow up, attend school, or work with someone who is now “famous”? What do you say when people ask you about them? Please don’t tell me you say, “I knew them before they became famous…I wasn’t impressed.” Well maybe you weren’t. However, let us read in Matthew 13 about Jesus’ encounter with people who knew him and his family. 

BIBLE VERSE – Matthew 13:53-58 NLT

^“53 When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. ⁵⁴ He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” ⁵⁵ Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. ⁵⁶ All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” ⁵⁸ And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.”

REFLECTION

Note, when Jesus taught “everyone was amazed”. Yet, the people struggled because their eyes were focused on the natural aspects and not the spiritual – their eyes and hearts were closed and hardened because they could only see a carpenter’s son and not God’s only son. They rejected Jesus as the Messiah, and it cost them the opportunity to fully experience the miracles Jesus was doing around the surrounding towns.

Brothers and sisters, don’t miss Jesus and what He did on the cross for us. Don’t miss it…trust Him, trust His word so that you will benefit from knowing Him and fully receiving all that He desires for you.

If you find yourself turning away or going in the opposite direction of where God is calling you to go…stop, pray and get into a better relationship with Him. Get into His word, recommit your life and spend time with Him.

PRAYER

Father God, sometimes we are weighed down by the pressures of everyone’s opinion of us, when in fact we should be looking to you. Lord, as we fix our eyes on You, help us to see what we have been called to do and teach us your truth. Lord, increase our knowledge and wisdom to be who you have called us to be. Lord, your word says that you knew us before the world was formed. Lord, you created us in our mother’s womb for a purpose beyond ourselves. Lord, strengthen our faith to trust your plan for our lives and to turn away from things that do not please you. Lord, help us to recognize distractions that turn us away from you, your word and from following after you. Lord, today, we surrender our will to yours. Lord, continue to minister to our hearts and change us. In Jesus name, amen. 

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