What is the one thing Jesus can’t do? Violate a person’s willful unbelief, that’s what. He will help a person’s humble admission of unbelief but he will not impose his Lordship on someone’s refusal to give him a chance. That’s why it’s best to pray every once in a while, or quite often, “Lord I believe, but help my unbelief.”
The Journey: Mark 6:5-6
And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
This is one of the most amazing texts in the entire Bible. Remember, this Jesus was the second person of the Trinity. He was the visible image of the invisible God. He was the pre-existent one. He was the agent of creation. This very Jesus had raised the dead, healed the sick, delivered the demonized, fed the five thousand, and walked on water. And yet he could do no mighty works in his own town because of the unbelief of the people who knew him.
As unbelievable as that seems to you and me, even Jesus—the one who had seen it all and done it all—was amazed by their unbelief. To say the least, it takes an awful lot to stump Jesus! And yet he was completely stunned by their stubborn unbelief.
What is the one thing Jesus can’t do? Violate a person’s willful unbelief, that’s what. He will help a person’s humble admission of unbelief (Mark 9:14-25), but he will not impose his Lordship on someone’s refusal to give him a chance.
Do you think we sometimes do that with Jesus? We’ve seen his glory; we’ve tasted his goodness; we’ve been touched by his love and grace and power. Yet we still question his right of Lordship over our lives. How? By doubt, worry, fear, depression, anger—engaging in any number of self-medicating, self-destructive acts—overspending, overeating, oversleeping, over-talking, over-sharing, over-indulging, sexually addictive behaviors, substance abuse or by any number of other faithless attitudes and activities.
Why would we surrender to any of those faith-killers when we have beheld the power and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ? I don’t know. Sometimes my own propensity to resist his loving Lordship amazes me.
Here’s what I do know: If we will take an honest look at where we are resisting his right to rule over us—both passively and willfully—and come to him with a humble request that he help our unbelief, even that crack in the door will be enough for him to do his mighty works in our lives. Andrew Murray wrote,
Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, ‘above all that we ask or think’. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!
What are the areas of your life where you are still resisting the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Identify them, confess them, and then surrender them to the power of the cross by asking Jesus to help your unbelief.
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