Jesus could not do miracles in his home town because of unbelief. If Jesus’ faith which was 100% could be hindered by people, how much more your faith which may be like a mustard seed? The prophets Elijah (1 Kings 17:17-23) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:33-36), Jesus and Peter (Acts 9) knew the importance of seclusion in order for their faith to work. People would mock Jesus by laughing at him when he said a dead person was asleep. To make his faith work he was in the habit of telling everybody to leave the house except for only just a few of his disciples. Then he would perform the miracle. The same happened with Elijah, Elisha and Peter.
How many times has your faith been hindered by other people, especially well-meaning family members and friends? You may be trusting God for something huge and then friends come and say “We hear you have been saying you are going to start a successful business” or “by this time tomorrow you will be healed”. If you say “No, I was just kidding” – guess what - you have just lost your miracle!
Believing faith affirms, even though the situation may look so bleak. Again, the moment you say “Yes”, people may mock or say something full of contempt, but you know what, that is exactly when the unseen angels of God move on your behalf to perform the miracle!
When Jesus resurrected Lazarus, hear his prayer:
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." John 11:41-42 [NIV]
When did God hear him and what did Jesus say?
3So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." 4When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."
Later on he says:
11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."
Later on when Martha said by now there is odour because Lazarus has been dead for four days Jesus says:
40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (author’s emphasis)
Note: Jesus’ prayer was consistent with the words of faith he was saying all along when things were bad. I myself am still learning this kind of faith. In fact, I am not very popular with relatives that speak and want to cause me to agree with them words of unbelief. They think I don’t love them, but I wish they knew how much I love them, pray for them every day, give help when in need and hear what I say when they are sick – they are fine, they will get well, my family is well, even if I knew all is not well. It’s not a lie when you speak this way. I have seen God honour me and my words on many occasions. However, the price is that believing faith makes you unpopular like blind Bartemeus.
Bible reading: Read 2 Kings 4 vs 18-37 and note what the Shunnamite woman did not say
