“But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13:57-58, NKJV)
What do you do when you have tried to share the love of the Lord with another, be it family member, a friend who you are growing within that relationship or someone you never met before, but feel compelled to speak to them, and they have a negative response?
Or what happens when you have a call on your life, that you know the Lord has given you, to start a new job, begin a new ministry, move to another city or state because you believe the Lord is speaking to you to do that, and others don’t understand it? Or they may just flat out and oppose your action, or you yourself?
Trust me, I know. Having moved my wife and kids several times, to several different cities and states, with the strong belief that it was the Lord, doesn’t get you the brownie points, nor the “Rah! Rah!” you may expect, or at least hope to, from close family and friends at times. In fact, I have had people simply oppose the idea, the thought, that I had heard the Lord, and I was going to fall off the deep end because of it, if I continued in that belief.
Follow Jesus, no matter what may come your way.
For those who have gotten the same response, or treatment, you know it hurts. Especially when the ones you really wanted to be excited for you, almost got to the point of now hating you. You were “leaving them” to go after some dream you said the Lord Himself, yes, the very God in heaven, happened to give you. Really? He spoke to you?
As was so, the true story about Joseph, of course, is a very prime example given to us to hold onto. You can read again his family treated him, and how he later had to overcome what happened to him, coming from the reactions of his family.
“He told his father too, as well as his brothers, but his father rebuked him: “What is this dream you have had? Do you really expect me, your mother and your brothers to come and prostrate ourselves before you on the ground?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.” (Genesis 37:10-11, Complete Jewish Bible)
Jesus (Yeshua) faced the same challenges, even more so. He called Himself, “Messiah. Son of God. The One who takes away the sins of the world.” Not everyone received His words, nor His miraculous actions.
Remember His family’s reaction and those who knew Him growing up? Recall the ones He attended the synagogue with?
“At this, because he said, "I am the Bread that came down from heaven," the Jews started arguing over him: "Isn't this the son of Joseph? Don't we know his father? Don't we know his mother? How can he now say, 'I came down out of heaven' and expect anyone to believe him?" (John 6:41-42, THE MESSAGE)
And then, as history is written, they had Him crucified.
But their reward is in heaven. For eternity. Forever.
So what do you do when you are misunderstood, laughed at, questioned about your thinking and your faith?
You keep on believing in the Lord, You keep on trusting in His guidance. You surround yourself with those who DO understand, who DO know, who DO walk as you do and together celebrate the life we have in the One who is leading and directing our steps.
And if those who are opposing your move in the Lord won’t consider what you know to be true, or accept what you have to offer, then move on, as Jesus Himself told His disciples, “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it.
If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” (Matthew 10:11-16, NKJV)
If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” (Matthew 10:11-16, NKJV)
Jesus has the final answer. After all, He rose from the dead to prove it.
Now think on this.
Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
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Now Think On This #415 - in the year of our Lord 04.20.19 – “What Do You Do…When?” – Saturday, 4:55 pm
