“And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”” Mark 7:37 ESV
Reflection: with all the miracles, signs and wonders surrounding Jesus, why did so many turn against Him?
My wife and I got a text from a dear sister in Christ, praising and glorifying God for a good night sleep. The feeling of waking up fully rested can be absolutely amazing, if we for some reason have had trouble sleeping for a while. But what is so interesting to me is that some Christians are quick to attribute good things happening in their lives to God, even everyday things like a good night sleep, giving Him praise and glory for it, while other Christians almost never do. Why is that? Does it mean that God is more active and visible in some people’s lives, while He leaves others to fend for themselves? Or, is it something else?
Jesus had returned from a sabbatical in Tyre. He needed to get away for a while, perhaps to be alone with His disciples. So they go north, basically out of the “country” and into heathen territory. After spending some time there, even casting out unclean spirits from a Syrophonecian, non-Israeli child, “Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis.” Mark 7:31 ESV. And, as He returned to His own people, they brought Him their sick for Him to heal. And, He did. Again and again, doing good wherever He went. In our focus verse today, we read the people’s reaction, “And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”” Mark 7:37 ESV. But, while they were amazed, “astonished beyond measure” as Mark calls it, do you see anything missing?
I mean, they have seen miracle after miracle, just amazing things. Thousands coming to hear, to see, to meet Jesus. They brought their sick, their crippled, and He healed them all. But we also know not much later, perhaps a year or two, most all of them turned on Him and cried out “crucify Him!”. This is so very difficult to understand, to reconcile from the very people who proclaimed here “He has done all things well”, or as some translations say
“All He has done, is good”.
So what is missing? Let’s look at a story you might be familiar with, the story of the ten lepers. “On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”” Luke 17:11-19 ESV. They all saw, they all experienced the same miracle of God, but only one gave God the glory for it.
I believe God is so very present in our lives. The question is whether we expect it and look for it, not only see it, but also as an opportunity to give Him the thanks and glory for His blessings. Even giving us a good night sleep when we really need it. What do you see He is doing in your life? Are you giving Him the praise and glory for it that, as He deserves?
