Daily Worship

Before there was strength there was weakness

July 24, 2014 0 0

Mark 6:1-6

A Prophet Without Honor

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 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?  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.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”  He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.

Lord Jesus
in your Word I read of the time in your life
when in your home town you ‘could not do any miracles there.’
The members of the community who knew your parents Mary and Joseph,
those who recognised You foremost as a carpenter
– they didn’t want to listen to what You had to say,
nor did they fully believe You were the son of God. 
And on account of their unbelief,
you were unable to do any miracles there.
Surely Lord that frustration on your part enables You to sympathize with me now
on the occasion of my inability to do and achieve that thing I wanted.
Lord I know that failure is a part of life.
I  know from the Gospels that it was in some senses a part of Your life too.
Before there was resurrection, there was crucifixion.
Before the empty tomb, there was the cross. 
Before faith, there was unbelief.
Before there was strength, there was weakness.
Bring resurrection from this disappointment of mine O Lord
and let a deeper strength emerge from this current weakness that I feel.
Amen.

 

Rev. Steve Jones, Chaplaincy Support Director for Welsh Sport with Sports Chaplaincy UK