Mark 6:5
“Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.”
The phrase “He could do no mighty work there…” has always fascinated me. Think about it. The one who healed the sick, calmed the seas, rebuked the demons, raised the dead, created all things, and by the word of His power, holds all things together, could do no mighty work there. Why? What is it that kept the mighty God from accomplishing His mighty works.
“He marveled because of their unbelief.” Mark 6:6
Mark tells us unbelief limited the work of God in the lives of the people of Nazareth. They did not believe Jesus could do for them what they heard He had done for others. Since faith is the currency of the kingdom of God, without it we cannot expect God to work in our lives. The question we must ask is, “Why didn’t they believe?” Why did some, like Jairus, exercise such great faith, and yet these have so little. I think perhaps the answer is found in their statement about Jesus.
“’Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?’ So they were offended at Him.” Mark 6:3
They knew who Jesus was, but knew so little of Him. They knew of His humanity, but none of His deity. They knew nothing of His great power and thus were “offended at him.” That word “offended” means to cause to stumble. They were stumbled because they knew so little of Jesus. When the time came that they needed a great work in their lives, their puny view of Jesus limited them from being able to trust He could accomplish what they needed.
What is your view of Christ? Do you see only the carpenter’s son, or have you met the Son of God? Do you know the one Who said, “I am the resurrection and the life?” He then went on, not only to raise the dead, but to arise from the dead, Himself, ascend to heaven, and reign as King of kings and Lord of Lords. Perhaps it is time to take a closer look at the risen Christ, so you might trust Him to do “a mighty work.”
Pastor Jim
Old Testament:
Exodus 17- Hitting Rock Bottom
Exodus 18- Next Generation
Jim Gallagher 