Beware of Unbelief

Mark 6:1-6 says: - “Then He (Jesus) went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief” (Emphasis added).

In the passage, we see Jesus teaching in the synagogue. People were absolutely astonished at the wisdom He displayed in His teaching, and the mighty works which He did. However then, the principle of unbelief rears its ugly head and people take offense at him. “Oh, isn't this just the carpenter's son? Isn't this just the one who made the coffee table for us or the wardrobe?”

The Bible says they were offended at Him (v3). That word ‘offended’ in the original Greek is 'skandalon', from which we get our word scandal. It's an offence, it's a trap, and unbelief will always trap us and prevent His power working in our lives. The Bible goes on in verse four to say, “a prophet is not without honour, except in his own country and among his own relatives and in his own house”.

As a result, we read this sad statement. “Now he could do no mighty work there, (the NIV says no miracles)except that He laid hands on a few sick people and healed them.” ‘Sick’ people there in the original language means ‘weak’ people. Jesus marvelled because of their unbelief. Unbelief will rob us of the healing power of Jesus. Unbelief is a robber; it robs, kills and destroys our faith. If it prevented Jesus doing any miracles, how much more will it prevent us from seeing the power of God at work!

When Jesus went to Jairus's house (Matt 9:25), He removed all the unbelievers from the room before He raised Jairus's daughter from the dead.

So, my encouragement to you today is to get rid of unbelief. His Word is either truth or it's not. He's either who He said He is or He's not. Jesus is the Healer. Actively banish unbelief from your life. Speak to your mountains and command them to go into the sea in Jesus Name! Mark 11:24 says whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it and it willbe yours.  The principle is simple. Pray, believe and receive!  If you doubt you go without!