No Mighty Work
Today’s Verse:
And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. ~Mark 6:5
In Mark 6, the emphasis is on the mighty work of God. A mighty work implies something accomplished by superior power or strength. It is an accomplishment not possible by human power. It is demonstrative of God at work. However, when Jesus returned to the villages of Galilee where He grew up, we are told that “he could there do no mighty work.” How can this be? Let us see how our attitude towards God can make His power ineffective.
We see the scornful.
“And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?” The Jews were filled with bewilderment and skepticism concerning Christ’s power. They looked at His family and occupation of a Carpenter as being lowly. They considered Jesus as being simple and lacking proper education. They looked at His background and considered it impossible that He could have such capability to teach with power and to miraculously heal the sick. Scornful people refuse to believe that Jesus is God and that all power is His.
We see the sidelined.
Jesus has all power. However, His power is nullified when faith is inadequate, heart attitudes are double minded, and there is a reluctance to believe that Christ is able. When the Lord’s power is ineffective, anything of a great magnitude cannot be accomplished. Jesus healed just a few when He was available to heal a large company. The power of God is often sidelined because of the same reasons as we read of in Mark 6. Do you have prayers that are going nowhere? Do you have needs that you feel God is not responding to? Do you know what is sidelining His power in your life?
We see the sin.
“And he marvelled because of their unbelief." The sin of unbelief is the prevailing reason why the Lord cannot do a mighty work. Unbelief refuses to believe that He is; that He is God manifest in the flesh; that He is Almighty God; and that there is nothing He cannot do. The sin of unbelief is more fate-centered than faith-centered. The sin of unbelief is more pragmatic than prayerful. The Jews looked at His good when they should have accepted that He is God. They looked at His simplicity when they should have accepted that He is sovereign. Be careful of an evil heart of unbelief overtaking you and leaving you in a sin-crippled condition.
We see the sadness.
“But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” Jesus told them that a prophet has less of an impact among those he is nearest and closest to. We are powerless when familiarity breeds contempt. We are ineffective when we talk to Jesus as if He is one of us, when He is Almighty God. It hurts when those who should have the greatest faith in us are doubtful and hardened in their heart towards God’s servants. He could do no mighty work there. Is the Lord’s mighty work missing in your life? Is His work limited to the few when He wants to bless with many? Do you have faith in His Person? His power?
Have a God-empowered God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 38-41