Unbelievable

Matthew 13:54-58

              There are so many fascinating tidbits in this passage what with references to Jesus' brothers and sisters. What really struck me though is the very last line, And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.  

             Were Jesus' deeds dependent on the faith of those around him ?  I don't think that's what it means. Perhaps it is more that any deeds would be wasted and not recognized because after all, they felt he was just the carpenters son. 

          But there is that part about unbelief. Jesus said if we had the faith the size of a mustard seed you could move mountains into the sea (Luke 17:6). I know that our own good deeds are deeply affected by belief and unbelief. We are all well aware of the childhood story of the little engine that could. I think I can, I think I can, I know I can. In reality our entire lives are not too different. If we are told we cannot do something over and over, we almost assuredly will not do that. We become convinced we cannot accomplish it.  If we believe we can do something we are very likely to succeed. If we believe we are worthy of a solid, loving relationship and have a strong sense of self worth, odds are we will find that relationship.  Many things that we seek in life are thwarted by bad thoughts and disbelief. Yet if we had faith the size of a mustard seed.....

               As a fundamental of faith, we must realize how valued and good we are just as we are created by God. Worthy, good, made in His (or Her) image. We need to have that foundation down pat in our hearts as much as in our minds. We need to believe and really know how capable we are, that we can accomplish some of the greatest deeds (aside from what Jesus did of course). We need to have faith. We must believe.

        

He came to his home town and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?’ And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour except in their own country and in their own house.’ And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.