Mary’s Lent Diary (Day 30)

I went straight back home after Jesus said ‘who are my mother and brothers?’.  As I said, I was hurting, but guess what?  Jesus soon followed me to Nazareth.  He had not rejected me!  It was so great to spend some time with him, and his disciples.

Of course, it was not all chat and catch up time.  Jesus still went to the temple to teach the people.  And, once again, the people were amazed at what he said.  They must have short memories, I thought to myself!  I was remembering what happened last time, when they were so mad at Jesus for the things he was saying that they chased him out of town.  Thinking about it, Jesus is being pretty gracious in coming back at all…

Anyway, Jesus was teaching and the people were amazed by things He said. He has so much wisdom!

But soon, their amazement began to turn. They were basically wanting to know who Jesus thought he was, teaching them like this.  Hadn’t they all grown up together?  Jesus was a carpenter, a labourer, just like them.  What right do he have to be teaching them and telling them how to live?

Jesus responded by saying that it is only in his own town that a prophet is not respected.  Actually, I think he has a point – everywhere he goes, except Nazareth, Jesus is welcomed with open arms!

As it turned out, on this occasion it was the Nazarenes that lost out.  They did not chase Jesus from the town, but Jesus did not do many miracles there.  And people love seeing signs and miracles!  But do you know why Jesus didn’t do many miracles and things there?  It was not because he was not able to, it was because of the people’s lack of faith.  It was Jesus’ turn to be amazed when he saw how little their faith was…

People looking amazed

At times, we can feel that Jesus is far away.

We wonder what is going on.

Jesus never stops coming to us, wherever we are.

When we recognise Him close, let’s remember to celebrate His presence.

To spend time with Him.

To feel the mix of peace and joy that Jesus brings.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

The people were amazed at Jesus, and His teaching.

And their amazement turned to indignation.

Their receiving of Him and of His teaching changed.

They saw Him as a carpenter, not a teacher.

They thought they knew what He was,

and that stopped them seeing Who He really was.

What about us?

Does our amazement in Jesus wane over time?

Perhaps we become so used to Him, that we forget to appreciate just Who He is.

‘Familiarity could make you a stranger to yourself.’

Matt Haig

Could familiarity, in a similar vein, make aspects of Jesus ‘strangers’ to us?

Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:15-17

May we never stop being amazed by Jesus, our Friend and our God.

What aspect of Him will amaze you today?

The people were offended – maybe jealous, too – of what Jesus was doing.

Perhaps they were comparing Him with themselves.

They’d all had a similar background, and none of them were teaching people how to live.

Who did Jesus think He was?

It can be easy to look at what other people are doing for God, and compare.

They lead worship, they preach, they bake amazing cakes, etc

And what do I do?

Maybe the ‘what’ is not so important.

The world still needed carpenters and labourers.

And it needed Jesus, too.

No need to compare.

What matters is the attitude with which we do things we are called to do.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

Jesus was amazed by how small the people’s faith was.

Not long ago, He’d been amazed by how big the centurion’s faith was.

In which of these two ways might He be amazed by your faith?

 Lord Jesus,

Thank You that You always come to me.

May I never stop finding joy in Your Presence.

Help me not to lose sight of how amazing You are.

I worship You.

May my faith grow as I recognise You more and more.

Amen

Mary’s Memo Don’t Compare

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