Mark 6:1-6a (NRSV)
Read Mark 6:1-6a on biblegateway.com
Chapter 6He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. Verse 2On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Verse 3Is 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. Verse 4Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." Verse 5And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. Verse 6And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching.
Devotion
Jesus was rejected by the people in his hometown. He could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. Doesn't that make you wonder what deed of power he could not do there? What greater power is there than healing the sick?
There is a clue in v. 6. “And he was amazed at their unbelief.” The greatest miracle of all is faith. It is God's work in us. According to God's word, it is not something that we can do for ourselves. The Lord works faith in us. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit (the powerless), for theirs is the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 5:3)
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for the miracle of faith that you work in us. May we always treasure faith in you, and when it is weak, help us to pray and ask you to strengthen it in us. Amen.