TOPIC: FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT
Text: Matthew 13:53-58
13:53 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.
13:54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?
13:55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, [a]Joses, Simon, and Judas?
13:56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” 57 So they were offended at Him.
13:57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.”
13:58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
STUDY:
Today’s reading shows how unbelief, familiarity and contempt can limit a person’s miracle and shorten the hand of God to hear, heal, help, save and deliver. When Jesus came to His own country, Nazareth, He taught the people and did mighty works there. But instead of the people rejoicing and saying that a great Prophet had risen among them, God had visited His people, they treated Jesus with contempt because they knew his house, his mother, his siblings, and his humble background.
They did not bother to consider the truth and importance of his teachings and miracles. The attitude of Jesus’ people can be summarised in the saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Because of the unbelief of the people, Jesus did not do a mighty work there. He simply did a scanty work and left. Nowadays, similar things happen. Some people make themselves so familiar with the Church and God, that they no longer respect God or His presence. Some church members abuse and disrespect their pastors and gossip with them.
Some Christians come late to Church without good reasons; some others mismanage church or fellowship resources because they feel they are close to the General Overseer, or people in authority. In a church or fellowship where people treat God, His ministers or property with contempt, it shows unbelief and God will not do many mighty works there. If you need miracles, blessings and God’s favour, treat Him and His servants with deep respect.
Prayer:
Lord, please help me to love and honour you and your servants all the days of my life. Amen.
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