Daily Devotional

-February 26, 2021-

-The Sin Of Unbelief-

Good morning, happy Friday,

“And He marveled because of their unbelief.”

(Mark 6:6).

Two things made Jesus marvel: great faith especially by Gentiles and great unbelief by His own countrymen. These two qualities are opposites and are in opposition to one another. Today’s text shows us how terrible unbelief is and how it actually hinders the work of God.

Jesus did many mighty miracles and the common people rejoiced and praised God. They loved Him and flocked to Him. The religious leaders, the very ones who should have believed in Him, rejected Him and crucified Him. Their hatred was fueled by their jealousy and unbelief.

This incident of unbelief in Mark 6:1-5, was especially sad and very disappointing to our Savior because the people in His hometown of Nazareth, that should have loved and appreciated Him most, did not believe. Their unbelief affected His ministry among them. They knew His background as a carpenter, they knew his mother, brothers, and sisters. Instead of thanking God for a local man making good, they were offended at Him.

Jesus said in Mark 6:4, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” This is a spiritual principle: those closest to us and know us most, often appreciate us the least. The old expression is so true, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Even Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him until later. As we mentioned before, they became leaders in the early church and each wrote an epistle in the NT.

Not only did the widespread unbelief affect Nazareth, it hindered the work of God in their midst. Mark 6:5 says, “Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.” Divine omnipotence was thwarted by human unbelief. Faith is the only antidote to unbelief.

Our text tells us, “And He marveled because of their unbelief.” Jesus was sad that they rejected His love, but even sadder at how their unbelief affected His work among them in His hometown. I am sure His heart was grieved. Each person in the world has a freewill and must choose to either receive Christ as Lord and Savior or to reject Him. There are only two choices. Even if a person does not openly and verbally reject Him, they are in effect rejecting Him by not accepting Him.

As believers, we must guard against unbelief in every form. Mark 16:14 says, “Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.” There are times He has to do the same with us. We do not believe He can or will do a miracle in our lives. The Lord has proven Himself mighty in our lives time and time again, yet we still doubt at times.

We must be honest and examine our own hearts. Where there is doubt, unbelief, or hardness of heart, we must confess it as sin to the Lord. We only see blessing when we believe. Jesus hates unbelief and we should too.

Have a blessed day and weekend in expressing our faith victoriously in Jesus. Let us drive out doubt and unbelief. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean