Every Corner

“Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.” (Mark 6:1-5)

Like Jesus’ former friends and neighbors, how many of us grew up with Him from the time we were barely able to understand the Scriptures? We learned of Him each week from the pulpit and from the pages of the Book. And after decades, we came to believe that we know Him.

But when He breaks into our life we suddenly realize we know nothing of Him at all.

Has He lost His allure in your life? Is He so familiar to us that we have forgotten His claim on our lifestyles? Is that why we no longer experience His power in our homes and in our churches?

It can happen to any of us. That’s why Jesus’ warning to the church at Ephesus plays on my mind: ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. (Revelation 2:2-5)

We all need a reminder from time to time that Jesus demands of us full obedience to His commandments. We need a reminder from time to time that He requires we fully submit to His claim on every corner and hidden compartment of our life.

If Jesus is not Lord of everything in my life, then He is really not my Lord at all.