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WHEN JESUS MARVELS--PART 2

Introduction

Last week we began looking at what causes Jesus to marvel. In the first case, we saw Jesus marveled at the faith of the Centurion whose servant was sick in Matthew 8:5-13. Tonight we look at the only other time that it is recorded that Jesus marveled.

Here in our text, Jesus has just returned to Nazareth, His hometown. The Scriptures records that Jesus visited Nazareth twice after beginning His public ministry.

Some towns like to capitalize on the success of one it’s citizens. We’ve all seen the signs posted at the city limits of many communities: “Now entering the city of ________ - Hometown of _________. Some towns even go so far as to name certain streets or buildings after famous folks who have ties to their towns.

You would think that would have been the case with Jesus here. You would think that Nazareth would have embraced Jesus.

1)        On his first trip back to Nazareth, which was shortly after His temptation in the wilderness, we see that Jesus caused quite a stir! Look at Luke 4:16-30.

            He was thrown out of town! And they would have done worse to him if they could have!

2)       Here in our text it is about one year later. You would think that after such treatment as he received the first time that he would not return.

            However, it shows that Jesus is the God of “second chances.” AMEN!

            But, not much had changed since His first visit.

            They didn’t throw Him out of town this time, but neither did they believe in Him!

It says here in verse 6 that Jesus marveled because of their unbelief.

To “marvel” in this context means to “wonder—to arrest one’s attention; to be astonished.”

So we find that Jesus only marveled on two occasions in the Bible. First, Jesus marveled at a display of great faith (Matthew 8:10). Second, He marveled at no faith.

That is one of the most amazing things in the Bible! Jesus was astonished at a people’s lack of faith!

We could all use more faith couldn’t we. Let’s look at the Scripture.

I.      THE REVELATION OF THE TRUTH. (Mark 6:2)

            A.       His Wisdom.

             B.       His Works.

                        They heard His wisdom and heard of His works, but could not understand.

                        They were astonished by Him!

            Because they couldn’t come to grips with what Jesus said and did, they dismissed them.

            (Vs 3)

II.      THE REACTION TO THE FAMILIAR. (Vs 3-4; Matthew 14:54-57).

             A.       Notice How That Jesus Could Do No Mighty Works There.

It was among the very ones we would think He would have been able to do His greatest works.

It was not the world, or the Romans that hindered His working. It was His hometown crowd (i.e. His neighbors)

These were some of the same people that Jesus may have played with as a boy.

They probably thought how could this little boy who grew up in their neighborhood be anything more than they were?

             B.       What Was The Cause Of Their Unbelief? A Limited View Of Jesus.

                         1.       They were limited by what they could see, by what they knew and what they could understand.

                         2.       Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God—What they saw was the carpenter, the son of Mary.

They said, “Whence hath this man…” cf. “…are they not all with us…”

                                    i.e. The were saying. . .“We know who this man is. He’s no one special.”

He never went to school.

                                                He is just a carpenter.

                                                He is a just another neighbor with family like everyone else.

                                                Who does He think He is? He’s no different than any of us!

                                                He is not the Messiah..”

All they could see was His humanity. They only knew Him as the carpenter’s son.

They thought they knew Him, but they were wrong! They only knew Jesus after the flesh, but not the Spirit.

They could not believe that anything good could come from Nazareth (John 1:45-46).

                                    Even Jesus’ own half-brothers rejected Him.

                                    John 7:5–“For neither did his brethren believe in Him.”

                         3.        Familiarity breeds contempt—The more familiar you are with someone, it lessens your respect for them.

A beautiful object in a familiar setting is easily overlooked and unappreciated, compared to when it is viewed in isolation or on it’s own as something new.

A jewel in the midst of many other lesser valued items may lose it’s appeal. But set aside by itself, it has a strong attraction.

Likewise, Christ must be viewed apart of everything else to be truly appreciated.

                                                 a.       They resented His authoritative teaching.

                                                 b.       They resented His claim of being the Messiah.

                                                 c.       They resented His followers.

             C.        Many Times People Want A God That Is Afar Off, Not One Who Is Near.

They don’t want God to get too close. As long as He stays out there in outer space somewhere, people are content.

             D.        Where Is Jesus’ Hometown Today? It Is His House, His Family–The Church!

                        You would think if Jesus could do a mighty work, it would be here!

                         1.       We are so familiar with the folks in the Church that we can’t conceive that God can use someone among us to do any mighty works.

                         2.       We get familiar with the Bible.

                         3.       We get familiar with preaching.

                         4.       We get familiar with the people of God.

            THE REVELATION OF THE TRUTH.

            THE REACTION TO THE FAMILIAR.

III.     THE RESTRICTION OF HIS POWER. (Mark 6:5-6)

             A.       Jesus Marveled At Their Unbelief.

                        It is cause to marvel with all the evidence before us.

Unbelief is a terrible thing!

                         1.       Their Unbelief Was Not Out Of Ignorance.

“Unbelief is the will’s rejection of truth and the heart’s refusal to be influenced by it’s evidence.”

                         2.       Their Unbelief Was The Refusal To Bow When Confronted With The Truth.

                         3.       Truth Always Demands Decision And Evokes A Decision.

                                    You drive down the highway and see a sign—Speed Limit 45 MPH.

                                    You make up your mind and decide—“I’ll obey it or reject it.”

                         4.       We must choose!

We will either shrink Christ down to our level of humanness or else bow to Him as the Incarnate Son of God.

                                    He is either one of us or He is the true Messiah and Savior of the world.

            B.       It Is Important To Realize That Apart From Faith, No One Can Please God.

                        (Hebrews 11:6)

                         1.       Unbelief springs from a wicked heart

Hebrews 3:12 – “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

                         2.       Unbelief is the only sin that will send a man to hell. (John 3:18)

                         3.       Unbelief is the only sin that can hinder the power of God.

                                    Matthew 13:58- “…he DID not many mighty works…”

                                    Mark 6:5- “And he COULD there do no mighty work…”

             C.        The One who created the heavens and the earth; the One spoke to the wind and it obeyed, the One who raised the daughter of Jarius from the dead was present with them, yet “he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.”

                         1.       They couldn’t shut Him down completely, but they did hinder Him from doing any mighty work.

                                    He could have done so much more!

                         2.       In our lives, we may see God working on a limited scale.

We see God answering small prayers here and there. But, sadly we seldom see Him doing some mighty work.

Why? The problem is not with God—The problem is our unbelief which “handcuffs” God’s hands from doing anything mighty.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!