Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Mark 6 and Psalm 57

All the miracles we observed yesterday were performed in Galilee, so it’s no surprise that the townspeople of Nazareth had heard all about them. Word of a miracle-working rabbi would have travelled fast in the rural world of Galilee. For example, consider how the people of Gennesaret immediately recognised Jesus and sent for the sick people throughout the whole region to be brought to Him to be healed (v.53-56).

When Jesus came to His hometown, Nazareth, His reputation had also preceded Him there, and they already knew that He performed miracles (v.2). Not only that, but as they heard Him teach in their synagogue they were amazed at the wisdom He had been given (v.2). Reading these first two verses, one anticipates the great miracles Jesus must surely be about to do in His hometown.

But sadly His visit there ended abruptly. Jesus was unable to bless them with many miracles at all, but could only lay hands on a few sick people to heal them. Why? Because no one else had the faith that He could do for them what they had heard so recently He had done for others. We should surely understand that He “could not” give them miracles because they “would not” receive them. Instead, v.3 says, “they took offence at him”. And Jesus was “amazed at their lack of faith” (v.6).

What had destroyed their faith and rendered them unable to receive what Jesus had for them? Familiarity!  They said, “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?” (v.3) Familiarity kills faith.

Life application: Let’s examine our hearts today and consider whether we have become so “familiar” with Jesus that we have lost our sense of awe and amazement at His power and authority. Have we lost our faith that he can intervene miraculously in our lives today? If that’s true for you, admit it to Him and ask Him to grant you the spiritual gift of faith.