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Power Limited by Unbelief

"And he could not there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. Mark 6:5

The question one of our readers asked in connection with this text is: What do we say to brethren who quote Mark 6:5 as an instance where Christ's power was limited apparently by human unbelief?"

The events described in the context took place in the area where Jesus had lived as a child and young man. The people knew who He was.

According to vs. 2, Jesus not only taught in this area, but also performed a number of miracles. His detractors even speak of these might works which are wrought by His hand. It seems to me that this is important to note.

His own people rejected him, however. Apparently Jesus' own words and His mighty deeds pointed to the fact that He was the Son of God. This is evident from the contention of the people that they knew His mother, His early work as a carpenter, His brothers and sisters. They mean to say: How could He be the Son of God? He's the son of Mary.

In addition to that, they were offended. The reason why they were offended is not stated, but there are probably two reasons: 1) He performed His miracles on the Sabbath day, something which repeatedly got Him into trouble with the legalistic Pharisees. 2) His claims, demonstrated by His miracles, that He was the Son of God.

It is in that context that we read, "And he could there do no mighty work…."

Some interpret this to mean that the inability of Jesus to do miracles was due to the fact that the people lacked miraculous faith. This is especially the interpretation of Charismatics who put more stock in signs and wonders than in the Word of God.

But this interpretation seems doubtful, chiefly because we are told that Jesus had done miracles prior to the rejection of Him by His acquaintances.

It seems more in keeping with the entire passage to interpret this to mean that Jesus was prevented from doing miracles because the unbelief of those wicked Jews made nonsense out of the purpose of miracles.

Let me explain.

The miracles which the Lord performed were not done willy-nilly, so to speak. They were not performed merely for the sake of performing marvelous works. The charismatics have reduced miracles to that lowly level. But the Lord never did that.

His miracles (as, indeed, all the miracles of Scripture) were for two purposes: 1) to prove the divinity of Christ ("Believe me for my works' sake,) Jesus told the unbelieving Jews.); and, 2) to give a graphic and visible sign of the wonder of salvation itself. Spiritually dead people are raised; spiritually blind are made to see; spiritually deaf hear the gospel because their ears are blessed, etc. Of these wonders of salvation, miracles were signs.

These signs were necessary for the faith of those who believed in Christ, because the Scriptures had not yet been completed. All Israel had were the Old Testament Scriptures. But now, with the coming of Christ Himself, they saw the Old Testament miracles, and the miracles which Christ Himself did as pointing to the fact that salvation came through Him who was the Son of God.

But in Nazareth and the surrounding communities unbelief was rampant. They who should have known, more than any other in Israel, that Jesus was the Son of God, refused to believe. (This explains also why Jesus marveled at their unbelief, vs. 6.)

This was not due to ignorance on their part. They had first hand knowledge of all the events surrounding Jesus' birth. They knew as well as Mary herself that Christ was born without a human father. They had been told of the angels, the shepherds, the wise men, Simeon and Anna. And now they witnessed once more His miracles.

But they would not believe. They were apostate Israel, smug in their own self-righteousness. They needed not the One Who had come to save them from sin, for they had no sin - not in their own eyes.

Hence, for Jesus to perform miracles there would have been an exercise in futility. They had rejected the gospel. It could be preached no longer. Miracles, pictures of the truth of the gospel, could not therefore be performed any more than the gospel could be preached.

To them belong the woes pronounced later on Chorazin and Bethsaida, which cities saw Christ's mighty works as well, but which also refused to believe.

But Israel must be pushed aside so that salvation might come to the Gentiles (See Romans 9-11). And even among the Jews a remnant according to the election of grace shall be saved.

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Additional Info

  • Volume: 8
  • Issue: 1
Hanko, Herman

Prof. Herman Hanko (Wife: Wilma)

Ordained: October 1955

Pastorates: Hope, Walker, MI - 1955; Doon, IA - 1963; Professor to the Protestant Reformed Seminary - 1965

Emeritus: 2001

Website: www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakeronly=true&currsection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Prof._Herman_Hanko

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