Mark 6, unbelief

Mark chapter 5 is about belief. from Legion to Jairus; from the crowd to the bleeding woman. People use their questions to touch Jesus. And believing faith is the result.

But as Jesus to hometown, Nazareth, his teachings do not call up faith. What is birthed is a multitude of questions, words of unbelief,

6 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.’

Jesus’ hometown synagogue spoke many questions, ‘where did this man get these things? …what is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?…’ and there more questions.

What is the basis, the essence, the root of all these questions?

The radix, the root, is unbelief. Many questions came from a set judgement. This multitude of questions is a disbelief in the healing hands and voice of Jesus. They cannot listen and feel because their hearts and minds are fixed. They cannot see or hear; feel or change. And Jesus responds,

4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief.’

People all over Judea are in awe of Jesus’ teachings, wisdom and healings. Except in Nazareth. Except in his hometown.

And Jesus marvels at their unbelief. An unbelief borne from many questions. But their failure, their concrete judging, their unbelief fails to ask the one essential question, ‘how can you, my Jesus, help my unbelief?’ (Mark 9:24)

He helps unbelief. We just need to ask.

Tags: unbelief