Jesus has amazing power everywhere amongst all kinds of
people. In the synagogue, home, countryside; with fishermen, tax collectors,
outcasts, religious leaders; amongst the bleeding, paralyzed, possessed, and
dying; so far there’s been no one Jesus can’t heal or help. Even when Jesus
stepped momentarily into Gentile country, he drove a legion of demons into the
sea.
Then he goes home to Nazareth.
At first, people are as amazed as everyone else has been.
They can’t believe the wisdom in his teaching and the reports of his miraculous
works. Then something familiar kicks in.
The people begin to remember “little Jesus,” the one who
grew up in their midst. It dawns on them that they know his whole family. They
have a million anecdotal stories about his life in Nazareth. They remember him
at work in his woodshop and think, “We know everything about this guy. He can’t
be the one everyone’s talking about.”
Then they get offended, as if Jesus is trying to put
something over on them. Even though they heard him for themselves, they have no
faith in his power or compassion.
In the absence of their faith, Jesus can’t do a thing.
He lays his hands on a few who are sick and they are
restored. With everyone else, he has no authority at all.
Jesus is amazed at their unbelief. Perhaps he is also
amazed at the power of unbelief to stop good things from happening.
Text for the day:
Things to think
about:
Faith has the power to heal. Unbelief has the power to
prevent good things from happening.
Things to do:
Question your own belief. Do you think Jesus can heal you
or not?
I
believe, Jesus. Help my unbelief.
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