MORNING MEDITATION

“Focus On The Message And Not On The Messenger!”

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“Focus On The Message And Not On The Messenger!”(Mk.6:1-6).
Jesus was humiliated in his hometown by his own people, in the presence of his disciples. On the Sabbath he taught in the synagogue, “and many who heard him were amazed.” Yet “they took offense at him”; not because of what he taught, but because of who he was.
A quick background check was not even necessary. They already knew him! He was a carpenter. He was Mary’s son. They knew all his brothers, and his sisters were right there with the people.
So how come he had acquired such wisdom and even did miracles? It’s like the more people know you, the more they disregard what you can offer!
Jesus’ conclusion could not have been otherwise:“Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” The majority of ministers of the gospel know this bitter truth that they are without honor among their relatives and in their own houses!
Despite all these, let us focus our attention on the last verse of the pericope:“And he was amazed at their lack of faith.”
To be amazed is to be greatly surprised; to be astonished.” Mark mentions several times that people were amazed by Jesus’ teachings and the miracles that he did. But only on two occasions have the gospel writers mention that Jesus was amazed.
Luke reports that Jesus was amazed by the faith of the centurion. Jesus voiced this out by telling the crowd, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel”(Lk.7:1-10). In this case Jesus was amazed because of belief. But in the case of Nazareth he was amazed because of unbelief.
Unbelief deprives us of much of God’s bountiful blessings. Due to the unbelief of the people of Nazareth Jesus did not do any miracles there, “except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.”
Dear friend, if you are amazed at the teaching, do not take offense because you claim to know the messenger inside out! Focus on the message and not on your knowldege of the messenger!
Importantly, our Lord Jesus Christ is always amazed at us when we hear his word. He is either amazed at our belief or unbelief. Therefore, let Jesus be amazed at your belief and not your unbelief!
Prayer: Holy Spirit giude me in my daily walk of faith so that the Lord Jesus Christ may be amazed at me in a positive way. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev. Babila Fochang.

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