Tag: no miracles
Consequences of a lack of honor!
Scripture reading for February 17th: Mark 6
God deserves honor because of who He is! Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God, and because of who He is, deserves to be honored. When Jesus visited His hometown of Nazareth with the disciples, people began to judge Jesus by what they knew of Him. They knew Him as a “carpenter” and as “Mary’s son”. (Mark 6:2-3) This reference to “Mary’s son” probably referred to the fact that they knew that Joseph married his wife when she was already pregnant. This brought a sense of shame and illegitimacy. They also knew His brothers and sisters by name.
We can define someone by their job or title and really not know them. We can also define someone by their family lineage and miss who they really are. This was the case with Jesus Christ! “Jesus said to them, “Only in His hometown, among His relatives and in His own house is a prophet without honor.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them. And He was amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mark 6:4-5)
The humility to know Jesus Christ as God’s Son comes from revelation by God. To receive this revelation, we must not be critical of judgmental, but humble and teachable. As we look at the miracles that Jesus was able to do elsewhere, humility of those needing the miracle is evident. Jairus, the synagogue ruler, fell at Jesus’ feet and pleaded earnestly with Him to come and heal his daughter. (Mark 5:22-23) The woman with the issue of blood honored Jesus by just touching the hem of His garment. (Mark 5:29) Each receive their miracle by honoring Jesus! If you need a miracle, honor Jesus by humble worship and prayer in faith!
Sunday Rest and Reflection:Hometown Prophets!
Dear Friends of God,
Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world! We have enjoyed our first week reading the New Testament and the story of Jesus! He is a wonderful Savior and worker of miracles! I pray that you are gathering today with God’s people to worship Him and celebrate your life in Him! In Him we live and move and have our being!
As I look back on this past week’s reading, I find the story of Jesus visiting his hometown of Nazareth and visiting the synagogue to teach there. His relatives and the people of the town were amazed at His teaching and wondered at where Jesus got His miraculous power since he was a simple carpenter’s son. They knew his father and mother and brothers and sisters. As they thought about his earthly family, they took offense at him! How could someone with such a common family have such miraculous power?
“But Jesus said to them, “Only in His hometown and in His own house is a prophet without honor.” And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” (Matthew 13:57b-58) Sometimes, familiarity is a stumbling block to faith. We have a hard time becoming like a little child and believing. Our perceptions from our senses block the reception of the word of God. Our faith comes by hearing and receiving the word of God. We have to take the word into our hearts and place our trust in God’s ability to perform His word. When we get our eyes on the messenger and begin to reason, we often miss out on the miraculous!
Take a moment today to reflect on your own life. Are you giving honor to Jesus Christ as the Son of God? Do you find yourself critiquing the preacher or messenger and failing to put your faith in God and His word? Is your own unbelief a hindrance to receiving what you need from God? Confess if necessary and choose to believe!
“People brought all their sick to Him and begged Him to let the sick just touch the edge of His cloak, and all who touched Him were healed.” (Matthew 14:35b-36) Crossing the Sea of Galilee, Jesus came to a land where people believed! Miracles came with faith!
In His Love, Pastor John