Mark Devotions
[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]
The truth of the expression “familiarity breeds contempt” is seen in the life of Jesus. Nazareth is where he grew up, which is exactly where people thought they knew all they needed to know about this “local boy” who grew up as a carpenter in a family they were so familiar with. It seemed impossible to them – and even offensive – that anything more could be thought of Jesus. And so they wouldn’t! Jesus was “amazed at their lack of faith,” which really meant that they didn’t have a deep enough relationship with Him to know and believe the Truth about Him, which is why very little of the divine was experienced in that town. I wonder if “familiarity breeds contempt” is true with the way we read scripture (some verses are so well known – Eg. John 3:16 – that we don’t let them speak any more to us), or the way we view people in our fellowship (“God couldn’t be speaking through so-and-so, I knew them since they were this high”), or even Jesus Himself (“He’s my Savior, so what more saving do I need?”).
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to know you more, and you claimed to be the Truth. Help me understand that your Truth grows in me only when I set aside my own pre-conceptions about you, and surrender to your revealing yourself to me in your own way. Show me how to look for you in what seems familiar so that I may see your Presence in Scripture, in your church (even if I’ve known mine for a 100 years), and in prayer & worship. Thank you that you really do want to show up in love and power in every circumstance of life; just give me the spiritual senses (faith) to recognize you when you do. Amen.
