Mark 6:5-6 - The Obstacle of Unbelief

Mark 6:5-6 ⁵ And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶ And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching.

Message: The Obstacle of Unbelief

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus arrives in Nazareth, about a 3 day journey from Capernaum. He has made it to his hometown and he speaks in the synagogue, as he has done elsewhere. If there was the thought maybe that his own people, in his own hometown would accept him, that was immediately not seen. Instead they took offense of him. Too often we want to see something like us, not different. And Jesus experienced this reception from his hometown people as well.

In these 2 verses I see that because of the response that Jesus experienced in Nazareth, a small community of a few hundred people, He could no do miracle except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered a their unbelief. Unbelief in Christ's hometown of Nazareth kept Jesus from doing all that he could.

This is a stark message in our day. Last night my wife and I watched a special on Billy Graham after his death about 10 days ago. It was a wonderful special that chronicled his life and the incredible work of the gospel message in people's lives. Crusades were occurring frequently across the nation. There was a huge response. Sometimes the message was welcome and sometimes it wasn't. It saddens me today because the message isn't being circulated in the same way today. And it would seem conversions are not occurring at the same rate. As such there is more questioning going on today.

Unbelief only stifled the work of Jesus in that healing people and curing people of sickness was a testimony of the work of God. Many lives were changed because of it. But, people with hardened hearts are not going to change even when miracles are done so the miracles lose their significance and purpose. It does not say that Jesus ceased to work, as he did lay His hands on a few sick people and healed them. He continued to work, but perhaps not to the extent that He would have preferred.

My nephew and his wife had a baby this past Wednesday. Saturday morning we learned that the baby had long QT syndrome effecting the heart. Immediately God's people were alerted and began to pray. On Sunday afternoon, it was announced that an EKG was done and it showed no signs of the long QT syndrome. God had healed this baby. God heals. Praise God.

While healing was not present He was going around the villages teaching. He continued to teach. His words were not hindered. This is what Billy Graham always did, not ever hinder his words. The responses were different in different places, but his message was always clear and consistent. Jesus started this trend.

Summary: The people of Nazareth did not accept Jesus. Jesus continued to heal people, but maybe not to the extent that he could because of the unbelief present in Nazareth. But the message of the Gospel still goes out. We must continue to teach and spread Good News. The reception may be different but our mission does not change.

Promise: There is an obstacle of unbelief present at times in our world and land. God is still sovereign though and we pray and remain confident in His Work.

Prayer: O Lord, how majestic is your name in all of the earth. Lord, I need your power to continue to preach your message even when the response is not great. Help me to stay consistent and wait for you to work as you wish. My confidence remains in You at all times. I will continue to praise your name.