In
Matthew 13, we see Jesus, the Storyteller. His stories are ordinary
stories - with an extraordinary message. The stories are human. The
message is divine. They are stories about people. They are stories about
God. Following on from Jesus' parables, we have His return to "His
hometown" (Matthew 13:54). The people were "amazed" at His teaching
(Matthew 13:54), They did not, however, look for a divine explanation.
They looked at Jesus in a human way. They said that He shouldn't be able
to speak like this. They denied Him the right to speak with divine
authority. They did not hear and receive what He said to them. What did
Jesus say about them? "The only place a prophet isn't honoured is in his
hometown and in his own house" (Matthew 13:57). What was the result of
their refusal to recognize Jesus' authority? His power was not released
among them: "He didn't work many miracles there because of their lack of
faith" (Matthew 13:58).
“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem”, the keynote of the service was joyful thanksgiving. They gathered together “to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving” (Nehemiah 12:27). “On that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). They sang “songs of praise and thanksgiving to God” (Nehemiah 12:46). This joyful thanksgiving is only a foretaste of the greater joy and thanksgiving of heaven: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In the city of God, “the glory of God” will be shining with everlasting brightness (Revelation 21:23). The Church of God will be “prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). The beautiful picture of the godly wife in Proverbs 31 gives us an outline of what God is seeking to do in His people. It is summarized in Proverbs 31:30: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be ...
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