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

 

Pray for our country.

 

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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