What Amazes Jesus?

Mark 6:1-6

There are two times in the Bible where it says Jesus was amazed at something. Both times have to do with faith.

1) The roman centurion. A Gentile soldier who had a paralyzed servant at home. Jesus volunteered to go and heal the man. The centurion told Jesus there was no need for Him to travel. He could heal his servant by speaking a word. When Jesus heard this, He marveled at the great faith of this Gentile soldier. 

2) Jesus marveled at the lack of faith He found in Nazareth. Look at 6:6.

He marveled (wondered, stood in awe of, was amazed at) their unbelief.

Think of all the things that could have amazed Jesus:

The beauty of the Temple

The sunrise over Jerusalem

The power of the Roman Empire

It was the unbelief of the people in His hometown that made Him marvel. I’m going to make a few observations from the text concerning how amazing unbelief is.

1. It is amazing that those impressed by Jesus are often not convinced by Him (1-2).

Jesus was born in Bethlehem. When king Herod ordered the slaughter of the children two years and younger Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Once Herod died, they returned and settled in the town of Nazareth. Jesus returns to Nazareth after some traveling. He has His disciples with Him. The point of the visit is to preach the gospel.

He is somewhat celebrated as a teacher. He is allowed to teach in the synagogue on the Sabbath. The reaction of the people to His teaching is astonishment.

That’s a big word! How many times have you left a sermon astonished? They have more questions than answers.

1) Where did this man get these things? Jesus wasn’t classically trained. Jesus was an absolute genius.

At 12 years old He was amazing the religious teacher with His knowledge.

The scribes and Pharisees tried constantly to stump Him with questions. They failed.

One of the most common things Jesus said to the religious scholars of His day was “Have you not read?” “Have you not heard?” “Do you not know?”

Standing beside the greatest minds of His day Jesus was a giant.

2) What is the wisdom given to Him?

They had never heard the truth He shared. He shared the wisdom of God, not the wisdom of man.

3) How are such mighty works done by His hands?

I have mentioned before that it’s amazing that no one ever questioned the miracles of Jesus in the 1st century. The reason is, you couldn’t.

Too many blind were seeing

Too many deaf were hearing

Too many lame were walking

Too many lepers were cleansed

It would do no good for His opponents to say the miracles were not real. Their only explanation was He was healing by the power of Satan. 

Their questions were compliments. They recognized:

Jesus had knowledge that he did not get from an earthly teacher.

Jesus had wisdom that was unheard of.

Jesus had power that mere man did not have.

The logical thing would be for them to accept Christ for who He claimed to be. They didn’t.  

It is amazing that people will recognize the great wisdom of Jesus yet reject Him.

The love of Christ- love your enemies, do good…

The ethics of Christ- do unto others…

The worldview of Christ- the brotherhood of man.

Illust. I may go into a drug rehab and share my testimony of the great power of Jesus. People will be astonished yet not believe.

Impressed but not convinced! Jesus marvels at such people.

You might say “But I still have question!” That’s ok. You will always have questions. You don’t need all the answers to have faith.

2. It is amazing that unbelief often leads to insult (3).

In verse 3 the questions move from inquisitive to insulting.

1) Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James & Joses & Judas and Simon?

2) Are not His sisters here with us?

He can’t be the Christ because He is a carpenter. That’s the logic. The word meant a builder. It could be used for a mason, wood worker, metal worker. They thought the Messiah would have a high-level position. He would be a scholar. He would not be a common man.

One of the worst things many in our culture have been convinced of is blue collar work is something to be ashamed of.

Shortage electricians, plumbers, construction.

When Jesus came into the world He could have worked any job He wanted. He chose to build things. The people could not accept the Savior would be a carpenter. He did this until He was 30 years old!

“He can’t be the Savior, He fixed our porch!”

He can’t be the Christ because He is the Son of Mary. Insult- Normally mention the father. This is likely a reference to him being illegitimate.

He can’t be the Savior because we know His brothers and sisters. The Catholics believe that Mary never had any other children. They teach Mary remained a virgin her entire life. To them it is an insult to say Mary had children with Joseph in a natural way.  Mary and Joseph having children doesn’t diminish Mary at all.

I have heard the insults of atheists- God impregnated a teenage girl. Their unbelief leads to insult. 

Let’s summarize:

He can’t be the Son of God because He is a Carpenter.

He can’t be the Son of God because He was born of a woman.

He can’t be the Son of God because He has brothers and sisters.

They didn’t like these things about the Lord.

“and they took offense at Him” = to cause to fall.

They insulted Jesus a lot:

Demon possessed

Illegitimate child

Drunk

Friend of sinners

A false teacher

If you live in unbelief long enough you’ll start insulting the Lord. You won’t like Him. The truth is we don’t want to believe what the Bible says about Jesus because if we do we will have to believe what it says about us.

If He is sinless we have to believe we are sinners.

If He is the Savior we have to believe we need saving.

If He is the Judge we have to believe we are going to be judged.

3. It’s amazing that those most familiar with Jesus often reject Him (4).

Jesus quotes a well-known proverb. It means familiarity breeds contempt.

These people would have been the most familiar with Jesus of anyone.

Nazareth a very small town (500 people)

He lived there about 30 years.

He worked as a carpenter

You grow up in a town like that everyone knows you.

The fact is they were in a unique position to know more about Jesus than anyone else.

Could have spoken to Mary about the night Jesus was born.

Could have spoken to Joseph about the angel that visited him.

Could have spoken to Jesus about the deep things of the Lord.

Jesus was their neighbor! Those closest to him rejected Him.

We see this with people who grow up in church. Many are content with surface level knowledge of Jesus. They are so familiar with Jesus they can’t see Him for who He is.

Many of these people think they already know Jesus. The people of Nazareth would have said “Yes, we know Jesus!”

I think of:

The Christ of the cults. A man, prophet, etc. When confronted with the Christ of the bible they reject him.

The Christ of the world (liberal churches). He just loves and accepts everyone regardless if they have faith in Him or not.

The Christ of easy believism. If you believe the facts everything is ok. When confronted with the claims of Christ in Scripture they completely reject the idea.

All of these think they already know Jesus.

Look at verse 5. Jesus did not do any mighty works there because of their unbelief. He was not going to cast the pearls before the swine.

Many are familiar with Jesus, but no mighty work has been done in their soul!

He won’t do it apart from saving faith!

Here are a few that cause me to marvel.

1) The atheist- the heavens declare the glory of God! Your unbelief amazes Jesus.

2) The procrastinator. Think of all you are missing- joy, forgiveness, peace, Christ. I marvel at your unbelief!

You sit with Christians at church

You sing with Christians at church.

You serve with Christians at church

Yet you don’t believe!

3) Myself- Even the Christian doubts at times. When we think of all God has done for us how can we not believe?

There may be others that marvel at our unbelief.

I think the devil may marvel at some. He can’t believe some people are not saved yet. He wonders how he can hold on.

God has proven himself to people

God has blessed people

God has urged people

Think of that, the devil himself marvels that some people are still in unbelief. He believes himself, and trembles!

Some in hell marvel at themselves. They are in torment now and marvel at their own unbelief.

How did I not repent?

How did I not go to Christ?

How did I not make that decision?

“I cannot believe the mess I have gotten myself into!”

I chose hell over heaven!

I chose the devil over God!

Faith is all the Bible says Jesus marvels at.

1. The absence of faith- Don’t let that be you.

If you are unsaved you amaze Jesus.

He has done so much for you.

He has set the table- all you must do is eat.

He has filled the cup- all you must do is drink.

He has paid the price- all you must do is take it by faith.

If you will not, you make the Lord marvel.

Listen to me. Unbelief is rebellion against God.

It is deliberate

It is foolish

It is illogical

It is rebellion.

The fool has said in his heart there is no God.

2. The presence of faith- Let that be you friend! Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Amaze Jesus with your faith like the centurion did. Believe in Him wholeheartedly- Even though you are in heaven you can save me Lord!