When Jesus Can’t

“And He could do no miracles there…” Mark 6:5a

This verse caused a little whiplash as I read it. I thought I must have misread it because Jesus can do anything, right?

Well surely “could” has some deep Greek meaning that is making this verse confusing. I looked up could in Strong’s concordance – ok no surprises here – it means “could” or the power to do something.  But it is followed by that little phrase “do no miracles”. Now that is problematic!

The first 5 chapters of Mark are FULL of healings, casting out demons, and calming the sea. But now, in Jesus’ very own home town, something is preventing miracles. What in the world is it?

“And He wondered at their unbelief.” Mark 6:6

And there you have it…people in His hometown were not asking for healing nor believing that He could. Come on – they grew up with Jesus, saw Him playing whatever games little Jewish boys played, they knew how poor His parents were. And now He’s come back home as a miracle worker?

If only they had believed, the power of this hometown boy named Jesus would have been unleashed there just as it had been all over the region.

There is magnificent power in BELIEF. Apparently the opposite is true too – there is power in unbelief. <Tweet This

Don’t get me wrong. I still believe my Jesus CAN do anything. But if we do not believe, we don’t ask for the miracles and the power stops. I think James says it much better than I just did!

You do not have because you do not ask…James 4:2b 

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6

Have you become discouraged in praying about a situation? Take heart my friends…doubt and unbelief will get you no where. Just like Jesus wondered at His hometown’s unbelief, He is just as astonished when someone does believe (see Matt. 8:5-10 where Jesus marveled at the centurion’s faith).

So what are you believing Jesus for in this season of your life? I’d love to hear from you!