Restricting the Power of God - Mark 6:1-6

 Jesus goes back to His hometown, Nazareth, and  begins to teach in the synagogue on the Sabbath. The people of His hometown who heard him were both surprised and skeptical. They knew Him as the carpenter's son and knew His mother, brothers, and sisters and were offended by the authority He demonstrated in His teaching. Their attitude toward Him exemplifies the old saying, "Familiarity breeds contempt." Jesus explained the phenomenon as a prophet is without honor in His hometown. While His friends and neighbors in His hometown scorned His authority and leadership, Jesus was amazed by their unbelief: "And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief" (Mark 6:5-6). Matthew says that Jesus could not do mighty works in Nazareth because of the unbelief of His hometown friends and neighbors. Previously, we described how even a small act of faith can unleash the mighty power of God. Now we see the debilitating effects of unbelief. It seems that unbelief by those who should believe can have the unfortunate consequence of restricting the flow of God's grace to save, heal, and deliver people.