TWO PERSPECTIVES OF JESUS
December 16, 2022 - Friday
TWO PERSPECTIVES OF JESUS
MARK 6:4-5, 53-56 NKJV
4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.
Mark chapter six is action packed. In this one chapter, Jesus is rejected in His own hometown. Commissions the 12 to go and preach. John the Baptist is beheaded. Jesus walks on water after feeding 5000 people. And has a major miracle healing revival in Gennesaret.
The interesting contrast is the rejection Jesus was subjected to at Nazareth versus the amazing reception He was given right across the lake.
In His hometown Nazareth, the people who knew Him best rejected Him the most. People He had lived with for thirty years became offended at Him. They could not get past His humanity. And as a side note, if Jesus had been performing miracles all His life, He would not have been treated so poorly by His hometown folks. They only saw Him as the carpenter and were offended at Him.
The unbelief in His hometown actually limited Jesus as to what He could do. Notice verse five says He could do no mighty work there.
The contrast between Nazareth and Gennesaret was much larger than the physical distance between the two areas.
In the land of Gennesaret, they recognized Him as soon as He got out of the boat. But they did not recognize Him as a carpenter. They received Him as a healer and miracle worker.
And they were excited. So much so that they ran throughout that area and began to lay the sick out in the streets. Then they humbly requested that the sick be allowed to touch the hem of His robe.
The next phase is amazing. As many as touched Him were made well. That is a bonafide healing miracle revival. These people were healed, not offended.
APPLICATION:
What we believe about the Lord has a big impact on what He does in our lives.
Have you ever noticed that people who are angry and bitter at God don't experience His blessings and goodness? The offended rarely receive from Him.
But the ones who love Him, trust Him and receive Him in their lives are the ones who experience His goodness. He still saves. He still heals. He still restores and blesses.
PRAYER:
Lord, I receive You as my savior, healer, deliverer, and shepherd. I know You to be good and good to me.