Jealousy

Read Matthew 13:53-58

Since the Fall in the Garden of Eden, the world and those in it do not act as God intended from the beginning.  At first, Adam and Eve lived in the Kingdom of God as those unaware of possessions and power.  They were totally satisfied with life and with each other.  Then came the apple, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Everything changed...

Jesus brings the message of peace to his hometown.  Those that perhaps knew him the best, his neighbors, are unable to see the blessings He brings.  Instead they are only able to covet his gifts and detract from the power of God in Jesus of Nazareth.  They cannot believe, it seems, because of their jealousy and their own quest for power.  It was not yet the Kingdom.  How often do we want what others have, unsatisfied with the blessings we have been given?  It seems nothing has changed...

Even in this moment, Jesus identifies God's intention for life and for the love of the world.  He identifies himself as a prophet.  Prophets pointed the way to God's intentions.  Prophets used their power to proclaim the Kingdom of God.  Even as Jesus identifies that this cannot be done within Nazareth, He continues to proclaim that it will be done elsewhere.  Deeds of power will continue to declare and proclaim the Kingdom of God on earth.  Everything will in fact change...

Perhaps each time we are satisfied with life and with each other the Kingdom of God comes a little more.  The way things are supposed to be.