promises – Page 26 – Broken Believers

Teaching Wonderful Things

Jesus Teaches Wonderful Things

The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” -Mark 6:2

When Jesus began to teach, people began to really listen. The synagogue was definitely the perfect place for Him, and it was there He got a chance to explain things. In many places, when this happens there is a casual and general acceptance of the lecturers tenets. But with Jesus sharing there was amazement. They were astonished at the things Jesus shared. There was a wallop as He spoke, and for the first time common people were able to connect some “dots”. They lit on this like ants at a picnic!

A large group together posed a question. “Where” did this teaching come from? This is so amazing! But what is the source? The teaching itself was not the issue, but is it from God or is it satanic? And how did Jesus come by this teaching? It is so profound! Two words to describe listening to Him: Wisdom and Power. Profound, but what is its source?

I think a real mystique began to develop around Jesus. There was a real sense that He showed He was both capable and legitimate. In His speaking He projected a power and grace which had never, ever been seen before. The listeners had never before heard what this man intended to do.

And we haven’t mentioned the miracles yet. Jesus did some things that astonished the witnesses. Although not listed in this account, they must have left an imprint. When the blind man three chairs down is healed, you have to stand and take notice. The miracle leaves you gasping, “Who is this?”

Jesus never accepted ambiguity. He never accepted the idea of purposefully being vague and elusive. He never contented Himself to hide in the shadows of “maybe”. Direct and bold, He reaches out to the synagogue. He gently draws the hearts of the inquisitive and seeking to Himself.

Being Held, Being Secure

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37

Being insecure is like sipping sulfuric acid from a teacup. What we drink in is corrosive and harmful, when we think it is ok. We become saturated with anxiety and overloaded with doubt. We feel very unsure about ourselves, and become introspective to a fault.

Somehow verses like John 6:37 don’t work or apply to us. Such is strength of our hopelessness. It is durable and strong. Christians who struggle with “feeling saved” have a formidable enemy just within themselves, not taking in Satan’s attacks on their mind.

This verse helps us understand some things. First, there is a “chain of custody” in regards to spiritual headship. What comes to the Father, gets transferred to the Son. To enable this, there is something like a magnetic pull that people become drawn to Jesus. (Aside note: Jesus is wildly popular and esteemed among unbelievers; it is the Church that gives people heartburn!)

When we are attracted to Him, the pull intensifies. We grow sensitive and more sure. When we pass over that symbolic line we discover that we have great assurance of His love. The statement is made, “I will by no means cast out.”

“Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go”. –John 6:37, The Message

“He holds on”! He doesn’t let go! This attachment of Jesus to us is strong and sure. Our issue comes when we focus on self and forget about Him. Thinking exclusively about your sin, and weakness, and mental illness takes back to the “acid in a teacup” analogy. But enough of that; let us live confidently, looking boldly on Christ and feeling His grip. He can’t de-attach Himself.