“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Faith is important, so important that there is a whole chapter in Hebrews dedicated to the heroes of faith. But Scripture also shows us the power of unbelief, which kept people from receiving God’s blessings.
Just as faith is a powerful force, the opposite of faith—unbelief is also powerful. Throughout history, unbelief has carried devastating consequences. In the beginning, Adam and Eve’s unbelief resulted in the curse of the entire planet. Fast forward a bit to the time of Noah, when a flood destroyed the whole earth because of unbelief. Later, an entire generation of Israelites died in the wilderness because they would not believe God’s promise. Unbelief blocks God’s blessings and produces devastating consequences.
At the start of His ministry, Jesus encountered the same problem. In Nazareth, his hometown, He declared that he was the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy. (Luke 4:14-30). During this visit, His own people rejected Him. He later returned to Nazareth with His disciples and was once again rejected. Though many were impressed by His wisdom, they also took offense:
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Jesus replied, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” And Mark records: “He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. (Mark 6:4-6)
The Power of Unbelief in Nazareth
Scripture tells us only two times that Jesus was “amazed.” Once, at the great faith of the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:10) and here, at His hometown’s lack of it (Mark 6:6). In both moments, Jesus’ amazement was tied directly to faith: either its presence or its absence. Jesus understood that faith and unbelief are powerful forces that affect people’s destinies.
Jesus faced unbelief throughout his entire ministry. So why was He astonished at Nazareth? Sometimes it helps to think about this in the context of our own lives. Let’s say my best friend from High School, who I have known all my life, is a terrible singer, suddenly—without any formal training—begins to sing at the New York City Metropolitan Opera. I would certainly question the authenticity of her voice. I’d wonder if it was a trick. I’d wonder if maybe it wasn’t really her singing. I’d have trouble believing. That is the same kind of doubt and disbelief that Jesus faced in his own hometown.
Nazareth was a very small town. The people there knew Jesus’ background—His family, His trade, His ordinary life. But the power of unbelief was so strong that even His wisdom and miracles could not break through their assumptions.
Mark 6:5 says that “He [Jesus] could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.” One of the purposes of miracles is to point to the truth. But if someone has already decided to reject the truth, what good is a miracle? A miracle will not soften a hardened heart. The people in Nazareth knew Jesus could do miracles, but they still did not believe. It wasn’t that Jesus lacked power; instead, He knew miracles would not accomplish their purpose. Their unbelief shut out the possibility of the supernatural.
Faith Is Powerful, but So Is the Power of Unbelief
The apostle John said his purpose in writing His gospel was “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)
What does it mean to have “life in his name”? Indeed, it means eternal life, but it also means experiencing God’s life and power here and now. Scripture teaches that faith:
Brings eternal life: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—” (Ephesians 2:8)
Brings healing: “He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34)
Moves mountains: “Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes…it will be done.” (Mark 11:23)
Brings answers to prayer. “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22)
I don’t know about you, but I want to be a hero of faith. I want to believe God even when my circumstances push me towards doubt and unbelief. I don’t want the power of unbelief to limit my beliefs about Jesus or prevent me from receiving God’s blessings. Instead, I want to see God move mountains, answer prayers, and give life in His name—life full of His peace, His love, and His blessing.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in his is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only son.” (John 3:16-18)
Unbelief didn’t just shape history—it even limited what Jesus did in His own hometown. I wrote more about that moment here: Unbelief Shuts Out the Supernatural.
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Making Him Known August 13, 2025 4:20 pm