THE DANGER OF FAMILIARITY

Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Mark 6:3 (NLT)

Sometimes we can become too familiar with the people God wants to use in our lives.

That’s what happened to people in Jesus’ hometown. Mark 6:1–6 says Jesus returned to Nazareth with His disciples and taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath.

But as amazed as the congregants were with Jesus’ wisdom and ability to perform miracles, they couldn’t get past their familiarity with Him. They looked at Him and thought, “That’s just Joseph and Mary’s son who grew up down the street. Who does He think He is?”

Because their over-familiarity with Him caused disbelief, Jesus could only perform limited miracles there.

I’ve personally discovered that God often uses people we would never expect to bless us, pray for us or lay healing hands on us. Through them, we will often get the miracle we wouldn’t have otherwise received.

For example, years ago, I remember going through a difficult period followed by an incredible victory. One night, God told me the only reason I’d made it through that time was because of an older man I knew well. God showed me this man praying and calling out to Him on my behalf.

Now, I’m embarrassed to say this man was someone I didn’t have a lot of great things to say about back then. But God used him to keep me going. In fact, the only reason I’m here today is because that man prayed.

Be careful how you view the people you’re familiar with. You’d be surprised who God has praying you through to victory!