July 27, 2012
"Just a....."
From outward appearances Jesus was a "just a." Just a son of Mary. Just a brother of James. Just a son of Joseph. Just a local kid. Just a carpenter. Who does he think he is!?! He comes around here "acting" like he is someone important and making up things? Where did he get power? How did he get wisdom? He is "just a"!
Who does he think he is?
"So the people were upset with Jesus." How dare he come around us pretending to know God. He isn't any better than us. So Jesus left the area because of their unbelief, and the local people and his family missed out on the blessings they would have received if they "just a" would have believed.
Jane (Her Name Was Jane) in her KJV has written: "What condescension to say, 'Is not this the carpenter?' yet he is Master Builder—still building lives." How true. They saw a carpenter but He was (and is) a Master Builder. Don't ever let someone cause you to believe you are a "just a." Don't ever believe yourself that you're a "just a." The Master Builder is building lives and seeking followers that He can use to further His Kingdom. There is no such thing as a "just a."
When Jesus sent His followers out they had one message: change you heart and lives. That is the same message we should be taking to the lost and dying world around us. As with Jesus, family and neighbors may scoff, but we are still to take the message. They may not listen, and we may have to move on and take the message elsewhere, but wherever we are the message is the same: change your heart and lives. Mark 6:6 says, "He was amazed at how many people had no faith." He was right there with them! They saw His miracles! Yet they refused to surrender and believe in someone they felt themselves to be equal with or superior to. He was just a carpenter; just a neighbor; just a family member. And Jesus left that place and was amazed at their lack of faith.
Jesus gives us important lessons and guidelines in these next verses.
Next Entry: The New Beginning: Out With the Old
"Just a....."
From outward appearances Jesus was a "just a." Just a son of Mary. Just a brother of James. Just a son of Joseph. Just a local kid. Just a carpenter. Who does he think he is!?! He comes around here "acting" like he is someone important and making up things? Where did he get power? How did he get wisdom? He is "just a"!
Who does he think he is?
"So the people were upset with Jesus." How dare he come around us pretending to know God. He isn't any better than us. So Jesus left the area because of their unbelief, and the local people and his family missed out on the blessings they would have received if they "just a" would have believed.
Jane (Her Name Was Jane) in her KJV has written: "What condescension to say, 'Is not this the carpenter?' yet he is Master Builder—still building lives." How true. They saw a carpenter but He was (and is) a Master Builder. Don't ever let someone cause you to believe you are a "just a." Don't ever believe yourself that you're a "just a." The Master Builder is building lives and seeking followers that He can use to further His Kingdom. There is no such thing as a "just a."
When Jesus sent His followers out they had one message: change you heart and lives. That is the same message we should be taking to the lost and dying world around us. As with Jesus, family and neighbors may scoff, but we are still to take the message. They may not listen, and we may have to move on and take the message elsewhere, but wherever we are the message is the same: change your heart and lives. Mark 6:6 says, "He was amazed at how many people had no faith." He was right there with them! They saw His miracles! Yet they refused to surrender and believe in someone they felt themselves to be equal with or superior to. He was just a carpenter; just a neighbor; just a family member. And Jesus left that place and was amazed at their lack of faith.
Jesus gives us important lessons and guidelines in these next verses.
- We are to go out and tell others.
- We are not to do it with our own strength and power. We are to be God-reliant not self-sufficient.
- Not everyone will accept you or your message.
- If that is the case, leave and shake the dust off your feet. God is responsible for the harvest.
- Do what God asks you to do.
- Keep the communication lines open. Talk to Him about the things you've taught and done.
- Get away from the crowds and refuel.
- Rest.
- Be thankful.
- Do not be afraid.
- Always believe.
- Always trust.
- Pay attention to my (God's) teaching. Listen to me (God).
- What comes out of people reveals who/what they really are.
Next Entry: The New Beginning: Out With the Old
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