and from Mark 6: 4 – 6
‘Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.”’
Imagine, Jesus – in his hometown; laying his hands; his builders’ hands, on the demon possessed; the physically unwell; on the hurting, and nothing happens, except for a few sick.
Imagine how he felt: rejected, betrayed, alone, without the spirit’s power to heal.
Imagine.
Why could he not heal?
Because He was in his hometown; because, somehow, someway, healing, forgiving love work, always work on earth with faith.
At times Jesus is touched, amazed by human faith. Here though, He is amazed at their lack, their deserts, of unbelief. Their unbelief turns Jesus open hands into their closed hearts and minds. His powers cannot heal, their can be no miracles, till they listen, really listen.
And they don’t until – until – what we call and celebrate Good Friday – until Jesus is on the cross.
And here, on the cross, Jesus performs his last and most powerful miracle, he forgives our amazing unbelief, when,
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Even now, at this death moment, the Roman soldiers are not listening. People hear the words but do not understand this miracle. But they will. Today maybe Good Friday, but Resurrection Sunday is coming.
The miracle of faith is coming; because, because our sins are forgiven.
Forgiven. Listen. Forgiven.
A last miracle in Jesus’ hometown, our hearts, our minds.
Belief, comes; miracles happen: I listen.
charles osewalt's blog 
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