Good morning!
Text: Mark 4-6; Psalm 18:1-24.
What a great selection of Scripture this morning! Both the Mark chapters and Psalm 18 are rich and full. Where to settle?
In Mark 6:1-6 Jesus’ visit to his hometown (Nazareth) is reported. Jesus is the carpenter, Mary’s son. In 6:3 it says the “took offense at him.” Jesus makes the statement that, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” Then we read :
And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. (Mark 6:5-6)
There is a difficult concept here – Jesus is “unable” not because He lacks the power, but because it would violate a basic precept – God’s grace always flows across a bridge of trust. An example – only those who believe are saved. His hometown folks are so accustomed to Jesus’ presence that they cannot grasp who He is. And they pay a price. They are unable to receive His miraculous blessings.
What’s this story got to do with us? Our faith opens the portal to astonishing power and blessing. When we allow ourselves to take Him for granted so our view of Him diminishes – that gateway to power closes. I wonder if there are times where I have taken Jesus for granted, or somehow discounted how awesome and wonderful He is. I wonder if there were miraculous things Jesus might have done in my life, but I was not holding Him in high regard so the blessings passed by. Pray that we are always mindful of how much awe and reverence Jesus is due.
in Him, Mike