Mark 6

Verses 1-6, “When He 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 honor 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 marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.”

What stuck out to me in this chapter is the contrast of how Jesus was received by the two different groups of people, those from his own country and those from away. Those who knew Him from His homeland, were astonished at His teaching...but not astonished in a good way. They did not believe that He was God, despite what they were seeing and hearing, and would not receive Him that way. Jesus actually marveled at their unbelief, and did not do the mighty works for them that He did elsewhere, where He was received. When we suffer from unbelief, Jesus is not pleased with us either. Besides, you should not expect God to work the miraculous in your life, because He will not reward your unbelief.  Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Now when Jesus and His disciples crossed over by boat to Gennesaret, He got quite the opposite response. Verses 54-56, "And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well." Many miracles were performed here and many wanted to receive the miraculous works of God. First of all, they recognized Him immediately and responded immediately in faith. They begged Him for even the smallest touch, just the hem of His garment, because they knew His power was that strong. These people did not care about His background or lack of formal theological training, like those in His own country. They witnessed His words and works and knew it was only by the power of God, and the rest did not have to make sense.

We are certainly living in an information age where it is quite easy to find the answers to most of our questions. As people gain more knowledge that is void of God, it seems harder for them to receive the truth of God. We must come to Him with childlike faith, which becomes an obstacle for many. If you want to continue fulfilling the desires of your flesh, you can always find an online source that will tell you what you want to hear and make you comfortable in your sin. But some things just cannot be Googled...they must be spiritually discerned. However, the evidence is all around us and has been made clear to all, so there will be no room for excuses on the day of judgement.  Romans 1:20-25, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."

What is your response when presented with the truth? Do you try to explain it away like Jesus' countrymen did, in order to continue down your own path; or do you receive it in faith no matter how much it blows up your current way of thinking and behaving? If you want to see the miraculous in your life, then your heart needs to be in a place to receive it. We cannot cling to what we know and what we love when the Bible tells us to lose our life. It is technically no longer our own anyway, since we were purchased by Jesus' blood. Only those who are dead to their flesh are the sons of God and will be rewarded now and in the eternal life to come. Romans 8:12‭-‬14, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”