Faith Disconnect
Opening Prayer
Lord, please speak to me through Your Word today. I’m ready and willing now to listen, learn and obey.
Read Mark 6:1-6
[1] Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [3] Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. [4] Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why were people so skeptical about Jesus?People were frequently amazed by him, but Jesus was not amazed by people all that often. How unfortunate that Nazareth gets bottom billing for its lack of faith (6). The people recognized the wisdom with which Jesus taught and that wisdom is a gift from God (“… that has been given him,” v 2). They also recognized that he performed genuine miracles. Again, they would have known that this signified God’s blessing and approval of Jesus (see John 3:2). So why the disconnect? Why did they go on to focus on Jesus’ humble beginnings, finally taking offense at him (3)? It was because of unbelief. We know from Luke 4:14-28 that Jesus’ earlier visit to his home town at the beginning of his public ministry had not gone well. When he made it clear that God was concerned for Gentiles as well as Jews, the people had tried to kill him. So on this second visit, although Jesus’ fame had spread more widely by now, the people still rejected him and his claim to be the Messiah–just as his own family had done (see 3:21). No wonder he was amazed (6).
Apply
Repent of any unbelief and ask Jesus to become more real to you than any doubt, fear or obstacle.
Closing prayer
Lord, You know the areas where it’s hard for me to believe and trust You. Help me to overcome them.
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