Nazareth-Jesus Rejected At Home-2

We continue Nazareth-Jesus Rejected at Home on the price we must pay to follow Him.

Nazareth-Jesus Rejected at Home-2

Continued from Nazareth-Jesus Rejected At Home-1

I spent 20 years running from God's call to ministry. During that time I got addicted to drugs, booze, cigarettes; it was a horrible, lonely, fearful time. I can't even express to you what it's like to look back and see the time, health, emotions and money wasted on meaningless goals. What could I do if I had them back? A friend of mine was just telling me about his calling from God. He hasn't stopped running, yet. He feels his life is a waste, but can't seem to get past the excuses and the addictions. How sad it is to see someone who knows God wants to use them but keeps running. Because of the fear of dying to his past, he is preventing a wonderful future he can't begin to dream about. Instead of doing that, we need to do what Jesus did.

He 12:2-3 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." For the Joy set before Him…For the Joy! What was the joy set before Jesus that made His own tortuous death worthwhile? To spend eternity in loving relationship with His creation (us) at the right hand of the throne of God. The Bible says everything was created by Christ and He still holds everything together by the power of His Word. It was the joy of having us back that made death worthwhile. There is a joy set before us that makes dying to our past worthwhile. Faith sees the joy, not the loss.

Some go further than running from God, they oppose those who follow. Maybe it's embarrassment or jealousy, or they just feel uncomfortable around people who are doing what they won't.

2. Causing Death: Lk 4:28-29 "All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff." These people were wiggin'. What got them so upset? Didn't the Bible just say how proud they were of Him? Everybody around was saying good things. Kinda' like, when we visit home for Christmas and they're all fawning over us 'cause we're a doctor or lawyer. Mom says, "This is my son, the doctor." A banner reads "Local Boy Makes Good!" Everyone says 'we're so proud of you'. Jesus was known by then as a prophet. They had heard of His reputation around the country.

"You're Joey's boy, aren't you? Did you really turn 120 gallons of water into wine at that wedding? What's this I hear about raising that boy from the dead? That's just a rumor, isn't it?"

They loved the Prophet. His mother or other relatives were probably present that day. People rarely moved from their home town in those days. Being one of their own, He made them feel important…until He spoke to them the Word of God. They hated the prophecy. They were so enraged that, somehow, Jesus eluded them before they could kill Him. Their hurt and shame was so great, they wanted to kill a servant of God. Have you ever slammed a servant? Dissed a disciple? When I was running from God, the very presence of one of His servants made me very uncomfortable. Samuel teaches that rejecting a prophet of God is rejecting God. We do so at great risk!

Concluded at Nazareth-Jesus Rejected At Home-3

Nazareth-Jesus Rejected At Home-2

I'm honored that you've allowed me to be a part of your Christian life. Please return often for fellowship, study and prayer. Thank you very much for visiting.

Love & Hugs,
Glen

We continue Nazareth-Jesus Rejected at Home on the price we must pay to follow Him.