Mark 7:37
37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
As much as people were impressed by Jesus’ miracles, not all of them believed. This is evident from the difficulty many had when Jesus challenged them to believe in Him as their Savior. They were astonished by what Jesus did, but many would not put their faith Him.
Jesus’ own disciples believed in Him. They rejoiced in the miracles that God did through Jesus and their own ministry as His disciples. They confessed that Jesus was the Messiah. Yet, when the events of Holy Week took place, and Jesus was crucified on the cross for the sins of the world, they struggled to believe.
I think that people today like to be impressed, even astonished when it comes to spiritual matters. But, being impressed isn’t the same thing as faith. Faith clings to Christ even when all seems against that confession of faith. So, while faith trusts in Jesus who brings healing, even more, faith clings to Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the world.
This becomes personal during times of trial. When we are anxious or negative in our thinking, it is easy to feel that there is no hope. But, our feelings about our situation don’t change the reality of who Jesus is. He is our Lord and Savior. He is the one who performed great miracles, even the greatest miracle of all, when He rose in glory from the dead.
Some in Jesus day, who were rejecting Him as Savior, kept asking for signs to prove that He was the Messiah. Even though Jesus had been doing signs and wonders, those miracles didn’t matter because they didn’t believe. Yet, others, who didn’t see a miracle, believed in Jesus as their Savior. They received the greatest of God’s miracles, namely, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
Let us pray
I praise you Lord for the great miracles that you do every day in blessings all people of the earth. I praise you especially for the greatest miracle of all when you created my salvation through your death and resurrection. Help me during all times of trial to trust in you. Be with all who are troubled, anxious, or sick today. Help us all to find our peace and joy in you and your power to save. In your name I pray, AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.