Give Jesus a Chance to Help You

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Monday, September 8, 2025

Today's Text: Matthew 13:53-58

Key Verse: Matthew 13:58 (NIV): "And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."

Imagine trying to open a door that's already unlocked, whereas, for some reasons, you've already convinced yourself that it's stuck. You claim whatever you do, whether you push and pull it, the door still won't open. So, you just wouldn't try it. How would we then convince such opinionated fellow that the problem isn't the door; but his own perception? This analogy is similar to how the people in Jesus's hometown of Nazareth had a mental block that prevented them from experiencing the Messiah's power.

They saw Him as "just the carpenter" and not the Messiah, and this limited their access to the miracles He intended to perform. A man's perceptions and beliefs can create spiritual barrier, even when God's power is readily available to help him. Jesus's "inability" to perform many miracles in Nazareth wasn't because He lacks power on His part, but a direct result of the people's unbelief and familiarity. Yes, we have all heard that familiarity breeds contempt. Knowing someone or something very well can lead to a loss of respect or appreciation.

The reason is simple, when you feel too familiar with the holy things, or men, you may take them for granted. Don't let your constant closeness with God and His men diminish your honor and admiration for them. Never let your worship become commonplace so that the value of spiritual encounter is overlooked. Instead, nurture the positive side. Let your familiarity deepen your relationship with God and His men. Let it foster appreciation and promote zeal. Don't let the of the people in Jesus' town fester in you, who were over familiar with him and his family, to the extent that they lack faith and respect for him.

The people's hardened hearts and stubborn refusal to believe prevented them from recognizing His divine authority as the Messiah. They saw Him through the lens of His earthly origins, not as the prophesied Savior. This lack of faith didn't limit God's ability but instead restricted the people's access to the miraculous works He intended to do. Therefore, spiritual familiarity breeds more than contempt, it blinds people to divine blessings. It focuses people on Christ's ordinary human origins rather than His supernatural power. It focuses on the natural over the supernatural; on unbelief rather than faith; on the physical rather than the spiritual, and on their relative Jesus rather than the longed-awaited Messiah.

Brethren, why would you let any hardened heart of unbelief rob you?! I would rather give up taking offenses at Him so that nothing robs me of accepting His message, healing and blessings. The people of Jesus' hometown of Nazareth, by their attitude, created a spiritual blockage to their blessings and miracles. They failed to known that only faith opens doors to the miraculous. Don't miss out on the full power of the kingdom because you limit God's work in your life. Don't allow doubt and unbelief to shut God's already opened door against you.

Action Steps: Reflect on any areas in your life where you've allowed familiarity or doubt to limit your experience of God's power. Ask God for a fresh perspective: a renewed vision of Him and who He truly is. Choose to act in faith, believing in His power and trusting in His plan for your life.

Quote for the Day: "Unbelief is the spiritual barrier that blocks God's power from fully working in our lives." (Rev Simon Wale Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your endless power and love. Forgive me for the times my unbelief or familiarity has limited what You can do in my life. Give me a heart of faith and a mind that recognizes Your true identity as the Messiah. Help me to trust You completely so that I may fully experience Your miraculous works — in Jesus's most glorious name. Amen.

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Thank you for being part of this journey. For additional reading on today's meditation, read: Matthew 17:20, Hebrews 11:6, and James 1:6-7.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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