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Facing Unbelief - Evangelical Caucus/Devotional
Gracetoyou.org ^ | 2008 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

Posted on 10/11/2025 2:36:35 AM PDT by metmom

“After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast. Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.’ The royal official said to Him, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies’” (John 4:43–49).

The proverbial statement “a prophet has no honor in his own country” contrasts Jesus’ acceptance by the Samaritans with His general rejection by the Jewish people (1:11). Jesus returned to Galilee knowing that the saying would be proved true in His case.

John’s statement, “so when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him,” does not mean that they believed in Jesus as the Messiah; they welcomed Him merely as a miracle worker.

The Lord’s encounter with the royal official in Cana is just one more example that the faith of many Galileans, like that of many Judeans, was only superficial, curious, non-saving interest. As a result, Jesus issued this stern rebuke: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”

Ask Yourself

Has familiarity with Jesus robbed you of recognizing the wonder of His ministry in and around you?

How can a person guard against this natural tendency, living daily and actively in His presence while not growing ho-hum with the work He does and the blessings He provides?


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: gty

1 posted on 10/11/2025 2:36:35 AM PDT by metmom
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To: Alex Murphy; boatbums; CynicalBear; daniel1212; ealgeone; Elsie; Gamecock; HossB86; Iscool; ...

Studying God’s Word ping


2 posted on 10/11/2025 2:37:01 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus….)
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To: metmom

Complacency is one of those human things that often causes so much trouble.


3 posted on 10/11/2025 6:02:22 AM PDT by ViLaLuz (2 Chronicles 7:14)
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To: ViLaLuz

And like all human bents is SOOOOOO very easy to slide into.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to do the harmful, self-destructive things and how difficult it is to do what’s right and good for you?

From spiritual disciplines to eating right, to getting up and getting enough exercise, to even cleaning up the house?


4 posted on 10/11/2025 6:31:57 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus….)
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To: metmom

Oh yes. It’s a daily challenge.


5 posted on 10/11/2025 6:55:38 AM PDT by ViLaLuz (2 Chronicles 7:14)
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