READING: Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9:1-17
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: Yesterday, I wrote about being amazed at Jesus. Today, I write about His being amazed at us. Except, “being amazed" in this latter case is not positive.
Jesus made His way to His hometown of Nazareth, where His teaching first amazed the people (Mark 6:2). As the people considered who He was, though, they recognized Him as only a carpenter whose mother and siblings they knew. Their astonishment quickly turned to scandal and offense — Jesus was just too ordinary in their mind to make the claims He was making.
It’s His response that gives me pause today: “So He was not able to do any miracles there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He was amazed at their unbelief” (Mark 6:5-6). To put it simply, Jesus was amazed that the people weren’t amazed.
I can’t help but wonder if Jesus marvels at how little we, too, really believe in Him. We claim Him as our Savior, but doubt whether He can or will work miracles in our lives. We preach Him as the Son of God while also limiting Him to fit inside the boxes within which we’re most comfortable. Sometimes, we pronounce His deity while treating Him as if He were only a man (which the people in Nazareth called Him in Mark 6:2). I wonder if He's amazed by our unbelief.
In fact, I wonder if He’s amazed at me. I hope not.
ACTION STEPS: In your prayer time today, ask God to show you if your lack of trust in Him hinders His work in your life and congregation.
PRAYER: “Lord Jesus, restore my wonder at You. Make me a follower who loves You, obeys You, and longs for You to make Yourself known among my neighbors and the nations.”
TOMORROW’S READING: John 6