Chrism

During the time that Jesus was preaching to the masses, he returned to his hometown of Nazareth to teach his own people. However, although the people recognized his wisdom, and accepted that he performed powerful deeds, yet they lacked faith and questioned him.

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. (Mark 6:3)

They simply did not have faith that the son of the carpenter was preaching like that and that he was indeed the son of God. At times, perhaps we act like the negative and cynical people of Nazareth, when we question the power of God and his abilities. Just like the people of Nazareth, we know Jesus, and we have witnessed His works in our lives. However, many times we still lack faith, and we question Him and even reject him.

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. (Mark 6:5-6)

Jesus marveled, and was so surprised by their unbelief. Do we surprise God sometimes with our unbelief as well? Do we question him so much, that he will not do any mighty works in our lives? When we have no faith, and when we question whether Jesus is merely a carpenter, then He will leave us, and go “round about the villages, teaching.”