Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 323

November 19;      Matthew 13:58;      13/260;      ‘Nothing Can Stop You’

Matthew 13:58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Familiarity breeds contempt.  In this verse, Jesus is in His own town, where He grew up.  He began to teach in their synagogue and astonished them by His teaching and the mighty works which accompanied what He taught.  The people knew Him as the carpenter’s Son and they knew His mother, brothers and sisters.  They were offended by Jesus and He was limited in what He could do there by their unbelief.  It makes no difference who you were, once you get saved, if you desire to grow spiritually, no one can stop you from achieving great things.  That does not mean that those who knew you when you were not a Christian, will not judge you and be offended by you initially.  The resentment of others, for various reasons, may hinder your spiritual impact on people where you grew up.  Don’t quit.  Walk in love, share what Jesus did for you and as they see the new you, over a period of time, they will believe that what you have is real.  Look to help them, love them as Jesus did and watch them change.  The things of the Lord work.  The Bible says that love never fails, it always has an impact.  Your consistence in manifesting the character of Jesus, sharing the Word when the opportunity presents itself and offering to pray for others when they are hurting will change their opinion of you.  Be Jesus in the flesh for them.  Treat them as Jesus treats you and before long they will know you are very different and have become someone they want to be like.  Rather than offending them, you will become admired and respected for who you have become.  What an adventure.