07/10/2019 - NEGATIVE ADMIRATION

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And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Mark 6:2

Jesus’ visit to Nazareth was awaited by all. Ever since they heard of what He had done in Jerusalem, people did not believe that the carpenter who lived among them was able to do the things they heard about. Everyone wanted to confirm that; after all, what they said about Him was phenomenal. The news of His arrival soon spread, and so, everyone waited for the next Sabbath to know whether this was true or not.

The day had come, and the synagogue was full. Jesus was there. Then, as usual, He began to teach the Word of God. Undoubtedly, no one had ever shown the Truth as He. Everyone’s question was, “How could it be possible if a prophet from Nazareth never arose, or someone prominent and recognized by Israel as a man of God?” Christ’s way of teaching fascinated everyone.

When listening to Him, many people were admired, but, as is often the case, among those who believe, there are those who resent not being admired and question the deeds of others, giving the most varied opinions. Some argued that He was from God, and others wondered how that could be. After all, from one hour to the next, the carpenter became a Master.

The question one asked was: Where do these things come from?, because it sounded too good to be true. If such admiration had been positive, people could have benefited from divine actions. It is important the people’s reaction to the work that God wants to do in the lives of the suffering. If they looked positively upon the Lord, faith would arise in their hearts, and with it, God would work.

Everyone agreed that Jesus spoke beautifully! But what was the origin of His words? Though they sounded good to their ears, they sounded like something of the enemy, because, after all, how could one of them become famous to the point that everybody seeking Him? Would those works pass through the sieve of the “specialists”? From the point of view of those people, if they did pass, God was acting through Him. How can the creature question the Creator?

This kind of “admiration” does more harm than good, for it does not come from the Most High. The Lord acts as He wills and wherever He wants and He will not submit to man´s questionings, which thinks he is in a position to approve or deny His actions. They looked to Jesus as judges, not as servants of God. If Christ was false, why didn´t those who considered themselves true do the work equal to or greater than He?

When there is unbelief, it is difficult to carry out wonders, for it prevents the emergence of faith in the hearts and the move of God. Jesus could not do greater works there, He only healed some, by laying His hands on them. Mercy!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares