charles osewalt's blog

⁶ “He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:6

Jesus returns to his home town. People question his origins; his family history; his life. They question, question without listening. Without seeing. And Jesus can do very, little. …

6 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. ² When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. ⁴ ‘Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” ⁵ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. ⁶ He was amazed at their lack of faith.’

Somehow miraculously-‘‘how’ -our belief, my faith, works, works with His power and as I feel, believe, listen and pray, healing miracles come.

But I daily forget this. I forget when I am tired; overwork; too happy; too despairing. In other words when I fill with myself and not Jesus.

Simply, I need to pray the, my Jesus prayer: – “Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

His sinner; and my Lord listens.

I need to pray this Jesus prayer and fill me self with his name, over and over, and then wait. Listen. And wait.

Mark 6 continues with the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus walking on water during the storm to calm the sea and his disciples fears. Entering their boat, they look at Jesus and are …

‘…completely amazed, ⁵² for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.’

⁵³ ‘when they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. ⁵⁴ As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. ⁵⁵ They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. ⁵⁶ And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.’

Jesus does not leave them. They walk with Jesus and … wait. Wait, see and listen.

Hard hearts and eyes melt, reform, open.

Seeing Jesus, closing my eyes, ( perhaps as the disciples? ) I can open my heart and listen. Listen, pray.

Tags: listen, prayer, rembrandt, walk