Miracles

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. ~Mark 6:5

This is truly a thought provoking and unusual event recorded in Scripture.

The Greek word used here for ‘could not’ is defined as follows: to not be able, have power, whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favorable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom.

We can’t possibly know why Jesus did not perform many miracles in his home town. But, we do know through Scripture that Jesus and the Father were and remain one, and Jesus did not and does not need depend upon faith in His abilities to perform a miracle.

Luke writes in the beginning of chapter eight of a man with Leprosy who came and knelt before Jesus, and made an amazingly simple and completely sufficient declaration, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” The man was asking Jesus if He was willing, because he already was fully convinced that Jesus was The Lord and fully capable of healing him. It is precisely why the man came to Jesus. And as we read, Jesus replied, “I am willing.”, and healed the man.

Matthew writes in the chapter nine of a woman who came up behind Jesus reasoning, “if I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”, and she immediately was. Jesus said to her, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.”

As Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath before the scribes and Pharisees he stated, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” In II Kings 17 the Angle of the Lord puts to death 185,000 troops assembled to destroy Jerusalem, because King Hezekiah offers the following reason for deliverance, “So that all the kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.” The miracles confirm the identity and authority of Jesus or God the Father.

Returning to events in Jesus’ home town, Jesus was unquestionably able to perform miracles regardless of the level of faith of those around him. James explained, “You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you don’t receive, because you ask with the wrong motives,” ~Jas 3: 2&3. What if no one came out and asked Jesus for teaching or healing, because they simply didn’t believe He was The Son of God or even a prophet? Or, what if those who came to Him simply sought a sign – something Jesus has identified as wicked?

The event teaches us that God performs miracles according to His will alone – not ours. Our mission is to draw close to Him through prayer and Scripture to become familiar with His will, which is revealed perfectly in our Savior and mentor, Jesus. We don’t only ask for things ‘in Jesus’ name’, but according to the Holy Spirit. We do our best to be like Jesus – asking for the same things that He did, for the reasons that He did – praying that what we ask for is His will.