Some things we talked about this morning with housechurch in a nutshell~

Here are some things to think about.... Please bear with me, this post is long!

Mark 6:2-6 (NIV)

A Prophet Without Honor

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,^[a] 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.**


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**He, as in, the Son of God, was amazed! It seems interesting that their lack of faith was so great that Jesus was amazed at it.
 
* How come Jesus couldn't do miracles there? Isn't God powerful enough to do miracles when he wants? Well, God gives us freedom of choice, so he doesn't FORCE on us miracles. He gives them to us when we have FAITH. What would you say the definition of faith is? I like the definition my dad used: Faith is my receptivity to God's activity.  Sounds simple when you say it like that, doesn't it?

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Mark 6:38-52 (NIV)

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

³⁸ “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

³⁹ Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ⁴¹ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² They all ate and were satisfied, ⁴³ and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. ⁴⁴ The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Jesus Walks on the Water

⁴⁵ Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶ After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

⁴⁷ Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. ⁴⁸ He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, ⁴⁹ but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, ⁵⁰ because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ⁵¹ Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, ⁵² for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.***

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***They were there, they walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus. They saw tons and tons of miracles done But their hearts were hardened, they did not realize how truly amazing the miracle of the loaves was. Apparently they had seen so many, it was 'all in a day's work' for them, and they didn't realize how truly amazing it was. Maybe, do you think our hearts could harden, also? Do we realize and thank God for all the little and big gifts and miracles he gives us? Or are our hearts starting to harden? Oooff.... that made me wonder. Oh God, help me to thank you for the everyday things you do in my life, no matter how small. And remember the gifts you give me, to help me along in my faith.