Job was a Godly man and it seemed that he was on top of the world. He was blessed with a wonderful family, great riches, he was kind and generous, he was highly respected and loved in the community, and most of all – he loved God with all his heart. Basically Job was living the perfect life. However, God had more for Job – God always has more for us. Job’s deep love for God must have created within him a desire for an even deeper love union with God. Once you taste real love you always want more. But how could Job experience greater love and goodness? He seemed to have it all.
Alas, we know the story. Job would suffer greatly. Within a few days he lost his entire household; his wife, his children, his entire estate and if that wasn’t enough, even his friends turned their backs on him. Job must have asked how such heartache and pain could strike him. After all, he was a good guy and he did everything that he thought God wanted him to do. His questioning eventually lead him into despair where he began to question God’s faithfulness.
God Is Bigger Than The Human Mind
Job thought he knew God; however, God is bigger than the human mind can perceive. Through Job’s trials he did come to know God more fully. God invited Job deeper into Himself and this is where Job received greater blessings. Job’s ability to experience God’s love expanded through his pain and loss and in the end God gave Job priceless gifts. In the midst of Job’s doubting God reached out to him. Why? Because God loves Job and God doesn’t give up on those he loves. Job needed God, and God was there.
God loves us that much too. God wants each and every one of us to reach out to him. God is always there, patiently waiting with his perfect love to heal our pain and sorrows. He is also there ready to share in our joys. Through Job’s trials and hardship God was faithful to him, and God is faithful to us too. God is bigger than even the most devout among us could ever imagine. And just as God is bigger than Job imagined before his painful losses, God is bigger than we could ever imagine. God wants only one thing from us – for us to turn to him and trust him.
The Netherworld
So what’s up with the people in Capernaum? And why is Jesus telling them they will go down to the netherworld? And I guess most importantly to us – will we go down there too??? I believe one thing we have to keep in mind here is that Capernaum was a prosperous town where Jesus worked many miracles – the palsied man, Peter’s mother-in-law, the hemorrhaging woman, and Jairus’ daughter was raised from the dead. Just to name a few. Basically, everyone who lived there must have heard of the healing and miraculous powers of Jesus, yet, many couldn’t rejoice in him.
Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel that “Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” So if we reject the people of Capernaum (or others who reject Jesus) are we rejecting Jesus? I mean, shouldn’t we reject those who reject Jesus??? And further, are we rejecting God when we refuse to reject these non-believers? Well… Jesus’ words are pretty clear – judgement is God’s alone. So now what?
Loving Others
Well, we are never called to reject human beings. We are called to love them, forgive them, and reveal Christ to them so that they can see the Truth living inside of us. We are only called to reject evil and the false beliefs that flow from evil. Looking at Psalm 30:1-5 we witness God’s faithfulness yet again. He rescues his lost children from the netherworld when they cried for help. And this is where we come in. The people of Capernaum couldn’t see the truth, and given this, they were headed to the netherworld. Many people today can’t see the truth of Christ either. They need our prayers – the world needs our prayers. God wants all of his children to turn to him. This includes those who live in the Capernaums of the world. Can we stand in these cities and be Christ for them? I believe that together we can. When we do God will give us more – he will give us priceless gifts as well. How sweet the reward will be.
Global Light For Christ (GLFC)
We are a group of Christ lovers who seek to support our fellow brothers and sisters on their journey into wholeness through prayer and petition. I invite you to share your prayer requests below and to pray for one another. Be blessed my brothers and sisters in Christ!
God bless all of you. See you next week Friday – Carolyn
If you would like to learn more about my work and my ministry I invite you to visit my website: CarolynBerghuis.com
- God the Father – hold us in your Fatherly love.
- Sacred Heart of Jesus – heal us with your divine love.
- God the Holy Spirit – immerse us in divine love.
