Faith matters; so does un-faith

God in the Flesh comes to Nazareth, teaching with unparalleled authority and performing amazing miracles. The people responded with, “Wait, we know this guy! It’s the carpenter’s son!”

Notice the people of Nazareth didn’t deny Jesus’ wisdom and power. In fact, Mark 6 tells us they asked, “Where does he get it?” But they didn’t find his grace irresistible. Their response, in spite of what they had seen and heard, was to scoff. Matthew 13 says they were “deeply offended” by him.

How’s this for a sad verdict? “Because of their unbelief, [Jesus] couldn’t do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their unbelief.” (Luke 6:5-6)

Faith matters. So does un-faith. The one thing God Incarnate couldn’t do was overcome the hard hearts of scoffers. Not in his own hometown among lifelong friends and family members. Not among those who would have claimed to know him best.

“Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12)