53When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54Coming 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. 55“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. (Matthew 13:53-58)
Thoughts: What can cause lack of faith- and thus limited ability for God to act? There are many reasons people have lack of faith. But low expectations because of over-familiarity may be one. The people knew Jesus as a boy. They saw him grow and were familiar with his humanity. They did not expect him to do anything unusual. But they were wrong. God can take a normal person, fill him with the Spirit and do miracles. He took fishermen and tax collectors and turned them into church leaders. He came down in the person of Jesus- born in humility- and exalted Him. We should be careful that we discount people just because we knew them when they were young, or knew their humble beginnings.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see people as you do.
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