Unbelief: Mark 6:4-6
Sometimes, you can only do so much for people. If someone won’t take their medicine, then it can be hard to heal them. If someone is unwilling to bury the hatchet, then it can be hard for them to forgive. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make them drink. You can offer all the sound advice you want, but you can’t make someone follow it.
In Nazareth, the people are unwilling to see Jesus for who He is. Mark tells us they took offense at Him. Rather than see Jesus as He is, they get angry at Him because He doesn’t fit their expectation!
This is why Mark tells us that Jesus could not do anything truly miraculous in Nazareth. It isn’t because Jesus’ power is limited; it is because the people were so offended most of them didn’t give Him an opening! Sure, a few sick people probably came forward with nothing to lose – and they were rewarded for their willingness to encounter Jesus with being healed. The rest of the population would not even receive Him.
In the context of the story, this seems like such a sad detail. Elsewhere, a dead girl was raised. Elsewhere, a woman was healed from twelve years of suffering. Elsewhere, a legion of demons was cast out of a man. Elsewhere, paralyzed people now walk. Jesus has performed so many wonderful deeds for those willing to come to Him; the people of Nazareth truly are missing out.
This is not really an uncommon problem, however. How many of the religious elite missed out when they chose to have a power struggle with Jesus? How many people in the region of the Decapolis demanded He leave because they were angered at His actions or afraid of His power? How many times did the crowd drive Jesus away because they came out of their selfish need and not humbly willing to receive what He knew they truly needed.
This is still an unfortunately common problem. How many people today miss out because they are unwilling to receive Him? How many people are quick to judge the grace God offers for whatever reasons lie in their heart?
The truth is we’re all guilty of this to some level. There have been times in my life where I’ve been too interested in my own pursuits to stop and receive from God. I’ve been too lazy and unwilling to change and missed receiving God’s direction. I’ve been too stubborn or too angry to even hear God in the first place. Even among those who follow Jesus’ teaching we are not always open to receiving Him.
Mark tells us that Jesus leaves and goes to other places. Jesus goes to where people will receive Him. He’ll give an opportunity to everyone and anyone, but He’ll pursue the opportunities that have potential to bear fruit the most. Sometimes, you can only do so much for people.
