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Jesus Marveled!
1/16/2009

In the New Testament there are a number of people who “marveled” at Jesus: the disciples, “the people”, the Jews, the Pharisees, and even Pontius Pilate. But I can only find two times that Jesus “marveled” at someone or something. In Matthew 8:10 (Luke 7:9 also) He marveled at the faith of the centurion. So what about the other time Jesus “marveled”?

In Mark 6 we find Jesus and His disciples coming into “His own country.” We learn that on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people who heard Him were “astonished” as they listened and considered all the “mighty works” they had heard He did (verse 2). And then something fascinating began to happen.

They started to compare the Jesus they heard teaching and had heard about, with their own understanding of Him. They asked each other, “Isn’t this the carpenter? The son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Juda and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us also” (verse 3)?

They “knew” this Jesus. Or so they thought. He was one of them as were his mother and siblings. And they “were offended” at Him. Why? Because what they heard about Him didn’t line up with their understanding of who they thought He was.

Jesus then made an interesting statement:

“But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” (Mar 6:4)

He knew exactly what those people were thinking. And it wasn’t that He was the awaited and longed for Messiah. They couldn’t get past their own limited understanding of who they thought He was. In fact, they couldn’t bring themselves to admit that maybe they were mistaken about Jesus.

We then find out in verse 5 that He “could do there no mighty work save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.” Notice that? Jesus couldn’t do a mighty work there except to heal a few sick people. And we find out why in the very next verse:

“And he marveled because of their unbelief.”

Their lack of belief in Him caused Him to marvel. And even more than that, their lack of belief kept Jesus from doing any mighty works for them. Don’t misunderstand, their lack of belief didn’t limit Jesus. However, it limited themselves in what they would be able to receive from Him. And you can only receive from Him if you believe He can provide.

Jesus is God. What we think about him doesn’t change that fact. But what we think we know about Jesus can change how we approach Him if what we think doesn't line up with what the Word says about Jesus.

Some people think that God is no longer doing miracles because that’s what they’ve been taught by their denomination. And guess what, those people won’t see miracles in their lives because they don’t believe it’s possible.

And I suppose that Jesus still marvels at our own lack of belief in Him. Don’t let what you think you know about Jesus keep you from receiving what He wants to give you. Trust Him. Trust His Word. And He’ll marvel at you for all the right reasons!

Maranatha!


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