May You Never Lose Your Wonder
by: Jahan Berns
Mark 6:1-7, tells the story of Jesus visiting his hometown of Nazareth. He taught in the synagogue. While the people of Nazareth were amazed at Jesus’ wisdom, and power to perform miracles, they were also deeply offended by him. Jesus did not do anything wrong to offend them. His only crime was that He was from humble beginnings. Therefore, for a man of such “low estate” to display such superiority of wisdom, above the wit of his hometown folks; and to possess power superseding that of his ordinary fellows was highly offensive and objectionable. Sadly, and to their detriment, the people of Nazareth hardened their hearts against Jesus and refused to believe in Him. Their familiarity bred contempt.
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.
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.
Mark 6:1-7
You can see then that one of the dangers of becoming too familiar with the Lord is that we can easily develop a hard heart. We live in a Christian culture where we are so familiar with God, that we have lost the awe of God. We have reduced Jesus to our menial level and made Him too small in our eyes. Our comforts and conveniences are now paramount while our obedience and surrender to God is viewed as optional.
Familiarity is not the only culprit to blame for the hardening of our hearts. Mark 6:47-52, tells another story of Jesus walking on water and His disciples’ reaction. They too were amazed but didn’t understand. The Bible says, “Their hearts were too hard to take it in.” Unbelief had hardened their hearts.
Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 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, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
Mark 6:47-52
God is looking for a malleable heart - one that is tender and responsive to His leading. He is yearning for His children to walk before Him in reverential awe and a holy regard for His glorious presence. In her song “Wonder”, Amanda Cook sings, “May we never lose our wonder; wide-eyed and mystified, may we be just like a child staring at the beauty of the King.”
No matter how much we think we know the Lord, it’s important that we walk in a sense of wonder and awe at the majesty of God. Jesus did little to nothing for the people of Nazareth because of their disrespect for Him. I hope you and I never falter like the Nazarenes of Jesus’ day.
May the Lord always find our hearts tender and filled with awe toward Him.
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