Priorities of the KingdomNäide

FAITH COMES BEFORE IMMEDIATE BENEFITS

MAIN IDEAS

• The attitude of JESUS’ fellow villagers is one of skepticism and reservedness about Him. Nevertheless, they listen to Him, hoping to take advantage of His healings and of the miracles they had heard about.

• JESUS does not respond to their selfish curiosity but tells them about the priority of faith in relation to the benefits they might get from GOD.

• The villagers turn against Jesus and plan to kill Him.

Although JESUS’ fellow citizens were skeptical and distrustful of Him, they were proud that He was one of their own and, hoping to take advantage of the healings and miracles they had heard of, they flatter Him. From JESUS’ response, they understand that they can get nothing from Him, as faith is necessary before any benefits man can receive from God. This causes them to pivot their attitude to one of hostility towards JESUS.
JESUS’ joy would have been for them to become interested in the KINGDOM OF GOD, to believe that He is the promised Messiah, and to desire to change their lives in accordance with God’s will. However, they did not regard faith as a priority but were instead interested in some immediate personal benefits from God. It was a very short step from the moment they admired Him and flattered Him, to the moment when they were ready to kill Him. Unfortunately, even today many Christians put the benefits they hope to obtain from God first, instead of their faith and their relationship with Him. Immediate selfish interests and expectations should not even exist within the Church of Christ.