IS HE AMAZED?

Mark 6:6a

“And He was amazed at their unbelief.”

Those with whom Jesus had grown up in His hometown of Nazareth refused to believe Him.  “Familiarity breeds contempt”, I guess.  These people had known Him, many since He was born, in every childhood circumstance and situation.  If He were anyone else, I could possibly understand their attitude toward Him.  But the Bible tells us He was without sin . . . as in zero, zilch, nada!  So, even seeing Him as a child, playing childish games, being comforted by His mother over a scraped knee, being taught carpentry by His father, without sin, they refused to believe!  Really? Truly amazing!

But . . . is Jesus amazed at MY unbelief?  I have to ask!  No, I didn’t see Him grow up, I haven’t seen Him with my eyes touch a blind man and give him sight, or been in the tossing boat watching Him walk on waves; but, He has healed me of a thousand diseases and will heal me of a thousand more before I reach Home.  He continues to shape me and form me into the woman He wants me to be.  (Now there’s a miracle!)

And I have the whole of the Scriptures!  I can read God’s story from start to finish, meditate on it, and write about it; read one sentence and chew on it for a month, or a whole book at one sitting if I want.  The people in Nazareth didn’t have all that.  So, whose unbelief is worse? 

Is He amazed when I don’t trust, don’t obey, and don’t expect Him to act on my behalf?  You bet!  I think, “How could those people NOT believe?”  But if those Nazareth homies were here, looking at all the faith-resources I have at my disposal, I’m sure I would hear them say, “Back at you, Deb!  How can YOU not believe?”

Father, I believe!  Please help my unbelief!