Matthew 13:54-58 “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? 55Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?’ 57So 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.’ 58Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”
The inability of the hometown folks to receive Jesus’ ministry is impacted by their familiarity with Him and His family. There is an apparent “commonness” about the holy family that suggests anything extraordinary would not be expected of any of them. Sometimes those who know us intimately and know our family and our background cannot receive from us because of the curse of familiarity. If Jesus experienced it, you will too. That is why it is sometimes necessary for us to step beyond our “circle” to minister in places and to people who don’t know us. There are no presuppositions and skewed expectations, which at best are minimal.
But we must be careful as well. When we attend services this weekend are we expecting anything out of the ordinary? Have we gotten “used to” the way things are that there is little to no expectation of the supernatural? How about the routine of today? It may be that God wants to visit us. Have we become so accustomed to our surroundings that a divine interruption seems highly unlikely? There is sad commentary of today’s devotional is verse 58: “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Familiarity breeds unbelief and unbelief leads to diminished divine activity. If it hindered Jesus, it will hinder us. Let us live on the edge of miracles. May we develop a faith that looks for God’s presence in our lives in the middle of routine. May we expect more out of those we know intimately. It may be that God wants to do something extraordinary with them…and with you!