Blinded by Familiarity

[cmc]

August 19, 2008
Key Passage: Matthew 13:53-58
Topic: Faith/Trust
And he [Jesus] did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:58, ESV)

The people mentioned in today's passage were the hometown crowd. They were men and women from Nazareth, Jesus' hometown. When they heard about or saw the miracles He performed, they scoffed, "He's just the carpenter's son."

These people could not believe that Jesus was a special person, the promised Messiah. It seemed incredible that Jesus could be God's Son. After all, they knew who Jesus was. They knew His family: His father (so they thought), Joseph, and His mother, Mary.

"Our neighbor kid the promised Messiah?" Not likely. They thought they knew all about this Jesus, but they were too close to the situation. They were blinded by familiarity.

And because they didn't believe and weren't about to, Jesus did only a few miracles there. What about us? Maybe it's not that He doesn't bless us daily but that we don't recognize His special kindnesses because we've become so familiar with His goodness to us. Think about it:

Are you so familiar with the story of Jesus' life that you can't see how miraculous it is that God loved us so much He sent His Son?

Are you so familiar with His daily blessings that you forget to see the good things in your world and concentrate only on your own problems?

Are you so familiar with the constant barrage of bad news that you don't recognize that God is at work? You don't even see His goodness and blessing?

Don't let familiarity stop you from recognizing His hand, His blessings and His miracles in your life.





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[cmc]

Are you so familiar with His daily blessings that you forget to see the good things in your world and concentrate only on your own problems?

Are you so familiar with the constant barrage of bad news that you don't recognize that God is at work? You don't even see His goodness and blessing?

Don't let familiarity stop you from recognizing His hand, His blessings and His miracles in your life.

In the face of various trials and problems of my own and others, it's easy for me to slip into this kind of thinking. Today's daily reading is just what I need to consider. A good solution for me is daily prayer that begins with reading, meditation, praise & worship.

[IO Storm]

Give ear to my words O Lord. Consider my meditation. Hearken unto the

voice of my cry; my King and my God: For unto thee will I pray. My voice

shalt thou hear in the morning. O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer

unto thee and will look up. Psalm 5:1-3

I needed this today, cmc.

Thank you.