Mark 6:1-6

Jesus left that part of the country and returned with His disciples to Nazareth, His hometown. The next Sabbath He began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. They asked, "Where did He get all His wisdom and the power to perform such miracles? He's just the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And His sisters live right here among us. They were deeply offended and refused to believe in Him. Then Jesus told them, "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 mighty miracles among them except to place His hands on a few sick people and heal them. And He was amazed at their disbelief. (NLT)

This passage struck me today as I read it, especially the part where Jesus wasn't able to do mighty miracles because of their unbelief. This passage almost seems to be saying that Jesus was limited by their unbelief, but I don't really think that's true. I wonder if the reason He didn't do more miracles there is because they wouldn't let Him. The passage says they knew Him, but I don't think they really did know Him. If they did, they never would have reacted the way they did. Their reaction seems to be like, "You think you're better than me?" type attitude. (He was better than them, but that's beside the point.) They assumed they knew Him because He grew up there, and probably was educated with their sons, etc. I wonder if we do that--assume we know Him because we grew up in church, learning about Him, but never putting what we know into practice.
I'm trying to put what I know into practice, and trying to know Him better every day. Especially after this last setback at work, with the not getting any more raises, has me questioning what to do next, and where God would have me. I pray that the joy of the Lord will be my strength.