06/08/2023 - THE BAD REPUTATION IS OVER

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And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali.   Mathew 4.13

The derogatory title with which the town of Nazareth was labeled would end, for the Son of God had returned from Judea to that land known as a place of bad people. Its reputation was so bad that Nathanael, on hearing about Jesus, asked Him where He was from and, when he heard the Savior’s answer, wondered if anything good could come from there (John. 1.45,46). The Master’s presence purified the place. Then He left for Capernaum, located by the Sea of Galilee.

The divine guidance was for Jesus to dwell in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. Never say anything against God’s plans, for He did not create any ugly or uninhabitable place. Israel spent 40 years in the desert, walking back and forth to Canaan, and was kept by the Lord in that place considered inhospitable to human life. While they were there, the people did not lack bread, water and whatever else they needed to live (Deuteronomy 2.7).

It doesn’t matter where the Lord sends you; it will be like the capital of the world for you. Many will hear that the place has been blessed with your presence and the power that God has given you to carry out your beautiful mission. Our attitude should be the same as Paul’s, who said, I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both, to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need (Philippians 4.12).

Comply with the biblical requirements to fulfill the heavenly plan, for without them you will go nowhere. The Son of God gave us the example by going everywhere: Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people (Matthew 9.35). Why can’t we do the same, if this is a commandment? (John 14.15).

When a person meets Jesus, he is saved, and from that moment on, he should consider himself washed, sanctified, justified, and blameless of all his errors. The world needs to find those who have truly changed by accepting the Savior. They must teach the lost how they can be transformed and change lives too (Mathew 7.12). No servant can disobey God!

If in Nazareth the people were considered insignificant, the opposite happened with the presence of the Messiah in that town, which became a place of respect, where good citizens and servants of divine justice lived. May his passage through any place, whether poor or rich, of good or bad fame, transform that place. The one sent from heaven has the Word that does not return empty, but changes lives. Don’t waste your time with superfluous things!

The day came for Jesus to leave Nazareth and make Capernaum His headquarters. The Savior’s presence would change that new place. Undoubtedly, everyone who accepts Him as their Lord becomes a person of character, even if they were rejected before. Fulfill the divine command for your own good!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares