Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
Jesus was attracting large crowds who came to hear his teaching and receive his ministry. When he went to his own town, Nazareth, it was a different story: the people there saw only the carpenter who had grown up among them. Calling him the 'son of Mary' (verse 3) may indicate that there were continuing doubts about the legitimacy of Jesus' birth and that 'son of Mary' was a veiled insult; Joseph believed that she conceived 'by the Holy Spirit' (Matthew 1.20, GNB), but perhaps the townspeople weren't so sure. In any case, they seem to have felt that Jesus was getting above himself. So he was 'not able to perform any miracles there' apart from a few healings. This is quite a shocking statement. We are used to thinking of Jesus being able to do anything. But Mark is quite clear: he was limited in what he could do by the people's lack of faith in him.
There's no automatic connection between the amount of faith we have and what God does for us. That sort of equation can be very cruel, for instance if someone is blamed for not having enough faith if they or a loved one is not healed from an illness. But this story speaks clearly about the need for us to co-operate with God in what we undertake. If we aren't receptive to his leading and open to his possibilities, we will limit what he can do with us and through us.
God, help me to be a faithful disciple in my family and among those I love, even when it's hard. And please let me be someone who says 'yes' to your possibilities, and doesn't close them down by my lack of faith.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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