Because of Their Unbelief

Today’s reading is Matthew 13.

Jesus came to Nazareth, the town in which He grew up. The people were astonished. However, not in the same way other towns had been. In other towns, they were amazed at His authority, His power, His ability. They thought He did all things well, and they came flocking to Him to experience His power. Here they are astonished at His uppitiness. That’s my word for it. Of course, Jesus wasn’t arrogant or prideful or uppity. However, the people from His hometown viewed Him that way.

Their question was who did this guy think He was coming back home and telling people how to live? Who did this guy think He was telling them to repent? How could this guy think He is the Messiah? They remembered His dad. They knew His mom and His siblings. They remembered His childhood. He can’t be all that.

Then Matthew writes, “And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief” (ESV). Matthew’s point is not that Jesus was trying really hard to heal people, but because they didn’t believe, He just couldn’t pull it off. Matthew’s point is that because they didn’t believe, they didn’t come to Jesus to be healed.

And this is really the way it works. So many people demand God perform signs before they will believe in Him. However, when folks don’t believe in Him, they don’t come to Him. When they don’t come to Him, they don’t get to experience the power of God working in their lives. It is just that simple. He has given the sign of Jesus dying on the cross, buried in the tomb, raised on the third day. If we won’t believe that sign and come to Him, we must not expect His work in our lives.

Which brings us to the question. Do you believe? If we can help you with that, please leave a comment below.

Next week’s reading is Matthew 14.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Why do you think the Nazarenes didn’t believe in Jesus?
3. What causes folks to disbelieve Jesus today?
4. What encouragement would you give folks today to help them believe?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?