Beyond Unbelief

Beyond Unbelief

Because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Mark 6:5-6

JESUS DEMONSTRATED AUTHORITY OVER NATURE by calming storms and multiplying food. He demonstrated authority over diseases by healing the sick with his words. He commanded demons to flee and, as he informed his disciples and accusers, could have commanded legions of angels to come to his defense if he wanted to. He saw into people’s hearts, declared the future, and interpreted history as something leading up to him. He walked in unison with the Father by doing whatever the Father did and saying whatever the Father said. He thoroughly demonstrated that he was God incarnate visiting us in person.

Yet, according to this passage, he couldn’t do many miracles in his hometown. It wasn’t because he didn’t have authority or power or because he didn’t want to. It was because the people in Nazareth didn’t believe. Theoretically, God incarnate could overrule the faith of human beings and act autonomously. But whether by the terms of his covenant with human beings or by his consistent preference to work in accordance with human faith, he generally doesn’t do miracles on earth that no one asks for or believes. Scripture is one long testimony of God revealing his will, prompting human beings to ask for it, and then accomplishing it according to their requests and faith. And that day in Nazareth, not many people were asking or believing. He only did a few “ordinary” miracles, if there is such a thing. And he was amazed that people didn’t come to him asking and believing for more.

If that doesn’t stir us to ask and keep asking prayers of faith, nothing will. The idea that God is going to do whatever he wants to do regardless of our thoughts, desires, prayers, and beliefs is undone in this passage. God has not put us on autopilot to receive whatever he plans to give. When we wonder why he hasn’t done what we need, it’s probably because we haven’t asked or believed with persistence. So ask and believe. Invite and expect his works. If he is amazed at unbelief, he is certainly satisfied with faith.

Thank God one day we will be done forever with unbelief.