Mark 6:1-2 Jesus left there and went to his hometown…. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed….
Jesus was not very effective in His hometown, primarily because of the lack of belief on the part of those who knew Him before He began His ministry. This, coupled with yesterday’s reading, causes me to think that there is a definite relationship between our belief in Jesus’s ability to work and to heal in our lives and His working and healing.
Mark 6:3 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.
What I mean is this: If I don’t think Jesus can work in my circumstances, He won’t be able to do so. I wouldn’t recognize His work, even if I were staring right at it. It is at once awe-inspiring and terrifying to think that Jesus partners with me in my own healing in this way. “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
Mark 6:4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”
Lord, Thank You for making me an active participant in my faith. Thank You for being willing and able to move mountains and work miracles if only I believe. Help me never to lose sight of the fact that: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isaiah 55:8). Open my mind and my heart to see the ways in which You are working in my life. Amen.
Mark 6:5-6 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Have a blessed day.