Mark 6 records the events when Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth. The townspeople were not quick to recognize the significance of what Jesus was doing. In fact, Mark records that Jesus “could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.” Jesus’ response is recorded in verse 6:

“And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.” (Mark 6:6, ESV)

The danger for us is that we might think we would respond differently if we saw the miracles first hand. We could think ourselves better than this. But would we respond differently?

I think it unlikely that we would. Or perhaps I should only speak for myself. I think it unlikely that I would respond differently.

Face it, we daily face issues and situations that require us to respond in faith. I find that in such situations, I am more inclined to either worry about it or take on the responsibility for fixing it myself.

I don’t know of a fix for this other than making a conscious effort to choose to believe. I’m not advocating anything like the “positive confession” nonsense that God will give me anything I want if I only muster up enough faith.

What I’m thinking of is making a conscious choice to look in Scripture to see how God responded to his people through the ages and learning to trust that he will continue to support those who love and follow him.

Like so many other things in life, this is easier said than done. But in my own life, I have seen my unbelief slowly receding and faith gaining ground.

Someday, perhaps, the wind and waves will no longer keep me from getting out of the boat . . .

“This might hurt a little” was what the doctor told me as he began attacking a cyst in my armpit. It turns out that this was a classic understatement. It actually hurt a lot.

It seems to be a universal law that there is some measure of pain when corrective action needs to be taken to restore health. Those of us who are old enough to have had our scrapes and cuts treated with Mercurochrome can remember the sting associated with having that reddish liquid applied to our wounds.

But like our willingness to endure pain to get our physical wounds healed, we also need to be willing to be confronted where we need spiritual healing.

This highlights the importance of being in fellowship. While it not impossible for my sin to be confronted by my personal prayer and Bible study, it is more likely to happen as a result of my relationships.

The two social institutions that God has provided for us are the family and the church. In either or both of these institutions our selfishness and pride will be exposed and confronted.

While you cannot chose your family and most people would opt out of family relationships only under very extreme circumstances. In 21st Century America, we often have a much different philosophy about church.

It is easy for us to have a consumer mentality about picking a church. If we don’t like the preaching style, worship style, youth group, etc. it is too easy to move to the next church down the street. While there is nothing wrong with having preferences, the danger is that we can avoid healthy discomfort by moving on.

Any of us that have sat under Biblical preaching for any length of time have felt the sting when Scripture confronts us in areas of idolatry or rebellion. We need to have the discipline to find and stay with a church that will faithfully put us in position to be confronted by Scripture.

We need a prophetic voice.