Missed Blessings

Matt. 13:54-58

In the above passage, it speaks of Jesus' rejection in His very own town of people- Nazereth. How sad it makes me, to read it this morning. It seems that when he taught there, they were astonished and they reasoned away in themselves, the very good that He was there to do. They reasoned away their own salvation. They allowed their flesh to get in the way, and become offended in His teachings through their unbelief...therefore, doomed to a devil's hell.

I can read this right now, and immediately think, "wow- what they MISSED. Wow-why, in the world would they not not at least think, "ok, maybe there's something to this, and what do we have to lose, by accepting this teaching?"

As I say all that...my very own flesh has been in the same position, in different ways, and I'm suddenly ashamed in reading this. More often than not, I can have the faith that would move a mountain as God speaks of...I can produce faith that does not even make sense sometimes, and I've exercised it to the point of astonishing others. I am also capable, however- of being called "ye of little faith." Why is it, I wonder, that I have to allow myself to waiver? I'm wondering why "I" can't be consistent 100% of the time. Yes, I tend to beat myself up about things like this- and there is something "else" I have got to work on. I "am" human. Certainly not near enough like Jesus as I should be.

Matthew 13:58 says

And He did "not" many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

This tells me me a TON. This means to me, that Jesus wanted to do great things in his own territory there where He grew up- but you know He had to know already, that they were going to respond this way. He must have loved them an awful lot, to go "anyway" and preach to them the gospel- so they could not say that He didn't love them and that He didn't offer the same to His own bretheren that he did everyone else, all over the place. I am inclined to believe, that surely there were a "few" there that accepted- so it would be worth His trip. Who knows. Scripture does not give us every single detail of every single journey of Jesus.

Jesus did so many miraculous, wonderful things for so many people through His journeys- yet in His own hometown...these people missed out on "many" mighty works because of their unbelief.

I can't help but wonder how many mighty works God would and could have been done in my own life and family-had I exercised great faith at ALL times. Hard telling what I've missed out on, myself.

I also see a parallel in verse 57 that reminds me of today's way of living in us all. It says that these people were offended in Him, but Jesus said, to them, "A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country and in his own house."

Prophets back in the day, were greatly respected for the most part- but obviously, no matter what your statute- you had to deal with (just as now), your own people being more skeptical and much harder on you, than strangers and acquaintances. He was telling them that they, "being His own country," were dishonoring Him as a prophet of God.

I have to wonder after Him having said that, how many in His OWN HOUSE rejected the gospel? Now THAT'S a terrible shame. He said it in Scripture, not me. Jesus had many brothers and sisters. Verse 55 of Matthew 13, tells us some about his own house. It doesn't tell "how many" sisters he had...but it speaks as if there might have been quite a few, because it says, "all" being there, when referring to them. And, it speaks of four brothers. Who knows if that means that's all He had in siblings. Mary could have had more after this fact....they had many children back in that day. No birth control for them to choose how many.

So, yeah- my over-analytical mind wonders about that kind of stuff sometimes. But nevertheless- you just have to know and accept the fact, that this be truth: you cannot win ALL, and this means even your own family and town/neighbors...as much as you desire to. You just have to keep on, keeping on-building your faith, building the bridges that will help others to cross over to a new life.

After having read this, this morning...I want to be purposeful in strengthening my faith and exercising it OFTEN...so that I can't be guilty of God passing me up from time to time with the dishing out of those "mighty works" that He WANTS to do in and through me. I don't want my "un"belief to be the cause of Him passing me by in this day.

I am sad to admit, that I am certain that He has HAD to pass me up quite a few times, because of my fear, my anxiety, my doubts, my stupid feelings. UGH. I know I can't "trust" my feelings...so why do I honor them so much, so often? I should probably kick myself as I write this. The ONLY thing I can always rely on, are God's Truths, which are contained in that wonderful Instruction Manual- the Bible.

He loves us too much and I know that, for me to allow satan these footholds of stumbling blocks that he wants to infect my flesh with, and deprive me of those mighty works of blessing.

I am ready to accept the blessings today. I am claiming the promises in this day.

Gotta take it day by day, right? After all- I "am" human. Wish I could be more perfect. I can't, but I can, "strive" to be more righteous in my walk with the Lord. Today is the day.

You all have a wonderful weekend now, ya hear? I'm going to! :-)