“And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.” Mark 6:5 ESV
Reflection: how can an almighty God be limited in what He can do?
Have you ever tried to help someone who doesn’t think you can help, or doesn’t want your help? It is impossible, unless you force them, of course. Some are so stubborn, so selfish, that they would rather fail than to accept help. And, this is perhaps one of the most difficult thoughts for us to grasp, how a good and loving God can “let” bad things happen. But the fact that God has given us free will to accept or reject Him explains a lot of the things that we see around us, that we experience. Why evil and wickedness have as much “room” as it does in this world. We actually get a glimpse of this in the story from Jesus hometown, when He visited there.
We have just looked at several amazing miracles Jesus did – casting out a legion of demons, healing a chronic illness, and raising someone from the dead. We even saw Jesus calming the wind and waves by just speaking to them. In a way, it seems like Mark selected a few key stories that demonstrate Jesus authority over evil forces, over sickness and death, and even over nature itself. But when He comes to Nazareth, He faces something else. Something that blocks His power. Let’s read. “He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”” Mark 6:1-4 ESV. He faces hearts of
Unbelief.
Selfish, hard hearts. It says that even Jesus Himself “marveled because of their unbelief.” Mark 6:5-6a ESV These were people He knew from growing up. His own family, friends, neighbors and members of the synagogue He attended. They turned on Him in disbelief, and “rejected” Him. And, as a result, we read in the focus verse today “And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.” Mark 6:5 ESV. That is just amazing to think about. Notice carefully here that it doesn’t say that Jesus didn’t want to do mighty work there. I am sure He longed for helping His closest family members and friends. No. It says that He literally couldn’t. And that is amazing to think about.
The people’s unbelief blocked the power of God.
We often see Jesus talk about the opposite of this unbelief. Which is of course belief. Or “faith” as we typically call it. He told the woman who was a bleeder. “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Mark 5:34b ESV The power of faith – whether to release, or block, the power of God. There are countless examples of this throughout the Bible. Jesus told His disciples who struggled with casting out a demon – “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”” Matthew 17:20 ESV It is about believing, trusting and having faith in God.
Faith. It is a very difficult concept for us.
Because, in a way it is very scary, since we have to give up of self. Of our own understanding, our own abilities, and our own doing, and just trust in God. Take some time to read Hebrews 11:1-12:3, where the writer concludes for us to be “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 ESV. What he is saying is that “faith builds on faith”, meaning the more you trust, the more you will experience God’s power. “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”” Romans 1:17 ESV
Let’s not limit God. Today, surrender to God. Take a step in faith and trust Him, even if you don’t understand where He is leading you, or why.. Let Him work in your life for good.
