Miracles

"And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief." Matthew 13:58

It is actually encouraging to me that Jesus was rejected in his own hometown. I'm not encouraged that Jesus was rejected. I'm frustrated by that. My desire is that all would receive the matchless miracle and message that Jesus provides. I'm encouraged that he experienced rejection and can identify with a pastor who is sometimes not taken seriously.

It reminds me that the opinion of man is not what determines whether or not I embrace the program of God. I embrace the fullness of the Kingdom because He first loved me so much that He willingly gave Himself up for me in the form of the Servant Jesus to do for me what I could have never done on my own; provide a pathway back into intimacy with the Father. I'm influenced by a loving God, not a fickle world. I'm compelled by the love of Jesus, not the betrayal of culture.

Jesus' refusal to do many miracles in Nazareth was not because he needed the faith of the people to empower Him, but because miracles are of little value to those without faith. Jesus was attuned to the activity of God. Am I?

My prayer is that you and I will see with the eyes of the Lord, feel the heartbeat of God, and participate in the miracle of the Gospel regardless of which way the wind of cultural influence blows.