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. And he went about among the villages teaching.

Mark 6:1-5

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. And he went about among the villages teaching. Mark 6:5-6

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:1-5, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division (vv5-6): 

• The commentary's title for the second division is "When You Consider Jesus, Are You Guilty of Unbelief?"
• Noting that Jesus could have performed more miracles in His hometown, the commentary shares how these works reinforce faith of those who are healed, yet "[m]orally and spiritually He was constrained not to reveal His power in such an environment of rejection and unbelief."  We are referred to Hebrews 11:6 where the text shares how God works for those who belief and have faith in Him.     
• "Only twice in the Bible is Jesus said to be amazed. In Luke 7:9 He saw the faith of a Roman centurion who believed He could heal from a distance with just a word. And in Mark 6:6 He was amazed by the unbelief of those of His own hometown."  Those in Jesus' hometown seemed shocked that a man from their town, of such humble beginnings, could do what Jesus was doing - they should have known from scripture (Isaiah 55:8) how God's ways and thoughts are not our own.  Unfortunately, scripture describes how Israel as a nation failed to see Jesus was the One promised from Old Testament prophecies.    
• We are challenged to see and accept Jesus for who He really is and by the Gospel and what it offers. "Are we “scandalized” by the simplicity of His gospel? Are we offended by the unfairness of its message that says a child molester or even a serial rapist and murderer on death row can be made right with God by childlike faith in Jesus Christ? Or do we allow the biblical evidence to slay our biases and reshape our preconceived notions of who Jesus must be for us to accept Him and trust Him? Or again, have we become so familiar with Him, having been raised in church all our lives, that His words no longer convict, His miracles no longer astonish, and His death on the cross no longer strikes the chord of “Amazing Grace”?"

We should be wise to how there is a battle for our souls and Satan seeks to drag as many as possible into the lake of fire or eternal condemnation.  Consequently, we should not be lulled into comfort with the world but instead "be sober-minded and watchful" (1 Peter 5:8) for how Satan works. Believers should daily remind ourselves of how Jesus reached into the pit and saved us - loving and saving us while we were still an enemy and hostile to Him (Romans 5:8-10), how we are undeserving of such salvation, and how His mercies never come to an end are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).  God does amazing things every moment of every day and we should be "watchful" of how He works.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves me, saved me, and whose mercies never cease and are new every morning.  You never cease to amaze.  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.