What Jesus Did! 'Blocking Miracles' — Mark 6:4-6

Monday, April 8, 2024

Then Jesus told [the townspeople], "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family." And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
— Mark 6:4-6 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus was in a synagogue, an important religious place, with people who knew him well. His intentions were good, and he had great power to heal and to help. Yet in this place, he couldn't do nearly as much as he wanted because the people refused to believe and didn't expect him to be able to act. How often have well-intentioned religious people blocked the power of God to work among them because they have refused to believe in Jesus' power? More often than they ever should have!

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive us... forgive me, for not expecting you to act in powerful ways to bring deliverance, healing, and blessing in the lives of your people. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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13 Related Resources by Heartlight

Couldn't!
Article by Phil Ware
As Jesus' family, what are we preventing him from doing among us because of our lack of faith? Phil Ware reminds us of the dangers of limiting what Jesus can do among us and through us because we think we know what we can expect of him.
Let's Talk about Ducks!
Article by Rubel Shelly
Have you said your duck prayer lately? Rubel Shelly reminds us to live life expecting it to be an adventure with Jesus in which we are surprised and learn new things again and again.
The Stubbornness of Unbelief
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Follower, I challenge you to consider two questions about the verses you find below:Why do you think that Mark included this story about the..."
More?
Article by Phil Ware
Maybe we are too familiar with our modern-day, water-downed, version of Jesus and not in awe of great expectations that the Lord has for us? Phil Ware continues his reflections from his gospel readings and uses Mark 5 and Mark 6 to remind us that Jesus has greater expectations of what he can do through us than we do!
See All 13 Related Resources about Mark 6:4-6

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 6:4-6 NLT — "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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