Mark 6:1-6

Mark 6:1-6

1. We see how apt men are to undervalue things with which they are familiar.
2. We see how humble was the rank of life which our Lord condescended to occupy before He began His public ministry.
3. We see how exceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief.

"It is a dreadful truth, that in religion, more than in anything else, familiarity breeds contempt."

"He who made heaven, and earth, and sea, and all that therein is within them--He, without whom nothing was made that was made--the Son of God Himself, took on Him the form of a servant, and "by the sweat of his brow ate food” as a working man. This is indeed that love of Christ “that surpasses knowledge.""

"Let us watch our own hearts carefully in the matter of unbelief. The heart, and not the head, is the seat of its mysterious power. It is neither the lack of evidence, nor the difficulties of Christian doctrine, that make men unbelievers. It is lack of will to believe."

Questions:

1. Are we overly familiar with the truths of God’s Word? Do we hear about a crucified Savior and are left without being affected?

2. Do we despise or think less than those who are poor or have less than we do?

3. How humbling but helpful to remember that unbelief is never entirely destroyed in this life. Are we aware of how prevalent unbelief is, not only in our heads but in our hearts and in how we live day-by-day? Is the exhortation to watch and pray against unbelief surprising or are we daily aware of our need for God’s grace to believe and walk in the truth? Have we seen our need and asked the Lord to increase our faith?