He Did Not Do Many Miracles There
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He Did Not Do Many Miracles There
When thinking about Jesus, the thoughts of many people go directly to all the miracles Jesus did while on earth. But, there was a place where Jesus did not do many miracles — simply because of the unbelief of so many. The account is in Matthew 13:53-58, where we can compare the response of the people of Nazareth to our response to Jesus,
When Jesus had finished these parables, He moved on from there. Coming to His hometown, He began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all His sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at Him.
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.
The people of Nazareth were amazed at the miracles they actually saw Jesus perform. They were amazed at Jesus’ obvious wisdom in His teaching. But, they did not rejoice or praise God for what they witnessed. Instead, their reaction was one of disgust.
After all, they remembered that Joseph, the carpenter who had died, was supposed to have been Jesus’ father. Carpenters were poor people in general. Because they knew Jesus’ mother, brothers, and sisters, they thought it was ridiculous that Jesus was teaching with real wisdom and using miraculous powers. Because it didn’t make sense, they proudly and stubbornly clung to unbelief — not caring what their eyes saw and ears heard.
Because the majority of people in Nazareth refused to believe, “He did not do many miracles there.” But, not everybody refused to believe. There were a few people who bowed in humble awe at what their home town boy was able to do. They did not despise the fact that Jesus grew up in poverty, or that His family was still poor.
These believing people did not care that the majority in Nazareth mockingly refused to believe. They had a humble faith based on what they saw and heard. Because they also had needs, Jesus honored their brave faith with the needed miracles because He was proving to everyone that He truly was the promised Savior and laying the foundation for people to put their trust in Him and His word. Jesus is Almighty God, but He does not despise any one of us. No matter what sorts of troubles we’ve had to endure on this earth — no matter how unworthy we might feel — Jesus will compassionately honor what little faith we have.
Jesus’ compassionate mercy for every single one that humbly approaches Him for forgiveness and mercy fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 42:3,
A bruised reed He will not break,
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.
Through all of God’s word, through all of creation, and through wonders that we see around us, we see that Jesus is Lord and God. We might feel that our faith is awfully small and undeserving of having the power of God working in our lives — but, Jesus does not see us that way. Jesus honors the smallest faith and spark of hope — and He answers our prayers according to His wisdom and knowledge of our needs.
All we need to do is look to our Lord and Savior in faith, hope, and love — trusting that God will answer in the way that truly is best for us.
He is here for us and greatly desires that we reach out to Him. As we do, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, Your love is so faithful and great beyond comparison. Thank You so much for loving us.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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