Amazing Unbelief

And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Mark 6:

For a considerable time, Jesus had been proclaiming and demonstrating the kingdom of God in the eastern parts of Galilee. Finally, he returned to his hometown of Nazareth and began teaching in the synagogue. At first, the townfolk were amazed by his wisdom. But their wonder turned to offense when they considered that Jesus lacked special training or impressive credentials. “He’s just a carpenter,” they said (6:3). As a result of their unbelief, Jesus “couldn’t do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them” (6:5). Mark tells us that Jesus was “amazed at their unbelief” (6:6).

I would consider it a banner day if I laid my hands on several sick people who were instantly healed. But, of course, Jesus had a more impressive track record when it came to demonstrations of divine power. Nevertheless, his ability to exercise this power depended, at least to a considerable extent, on the willingness of the people to believe in him. This is consistent with God’s work among his people most of the time. Every now and then God breaks through our unbelief with dramatic signs, as in the case of Paul on the road to Damascus. But, for the most part, God chooses to act in a way that respects our trust in him, even if this limits God’s actions among us. To put it more positively, God does great things in and through us when we have great faith in him. We saw evidence of this recently in the story of the woman who touched Jesus’ robe and was healed because of her strong faith (Mark 5:24-34).

I wonder how many times my own lack of faith has limited God’s work. I wonder how often Jesus has been amazed by my unbelief. I don’t like to think about this. But this story from Mark’s Gospel challenges me to be honest about my shortcomings in faith, to confess them, and to ask the Lord to help me trust him more. The last thing I want to do is to limit God’s miracles because of my unbelief.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Can you think of times in your life when your lack of faith might have limited God’s work in and through you? What helps you to grow in your faith? Is God calling you to trust him in new ways?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I can so easily see myself in this story. You know, even better than I, how many times I have failed to trust you. How sad it makes me to think that I have limited your power in my life. Forgive me, Lord. And give me a deeper and more abiding faith in you. Remind me of just how wonderful it is to trust you. May this hymn remain in my mind and heart as I live my life for you each day:

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take him at his word;
Just to rest upon his promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust his cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!

I’m so glad I learned to trust him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that he is with me,
Will be with me to the end.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!

Amen!

Image courtesy of Laity Lodge, one of our sister programs in the Foundations for Laity Renewal.