Kind of a Sad Story

Did you ever read a story in the Bible that made you sad? This one did to me.

Matthew 13:54-58  - Coming to his hometown, Jesus began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Every time I read this I feel sad. At first, I wasn’t sure why. I do remember reflecting on those people in Jesus’ hometown and thinking, How could they not believe in Him when they saw all this? Miracles! Healings! Amazing teaching!

As I thought about it though, I realized many of us sometimes do the same thing. Maybe that's where the sadness stemmed from. We may witness God working and see miracles in our lives, but just like the neighbors in Nazareth, we don’t believe it to necessarily be God’s doing.   

For example, my extremely premature daughter Faith, who weighed less than a pound at birth, lived despite incredible odds against it happening. And she turned out completely healthy. Was it just luck? Or a matter of beating stiff odds through excellent medical care? I had prayed fervently for help from God all through the fourth months Faith was in the hospital. Did those prayers make a difference? Did God do a miracle?

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

That sentence was the root of why I felt sad. Jesus did not do many miracles for his friends and neighbors because of their lack of faith. Faith was a requirement. How about us?

The same set of circumstances, the same set of facts, can easily be interpreted in radically different ways. It really depends, I think, on where you have placed your faith. The people in Nazareth probably saw Jesus perform miracles, but maybe explained them away. The blind man was about to get better despite intervention. Maybe it was self-suggestion. Could be it was temporary. Or just luck. They could not believe the healing was something caused by this carpenter’s son.

If we can’t see God’s work, perhaps it is because of our lack of faith. And conversely, if we do see it, perhaps it is because of where we have placed our faith.

Jesus said even a little faith could move a mountain. That’s all He said we need. Just a little. And the good news is God can help us with our faith. We just have to ask. Then we have to step forward in faith, whatever that might look like in our particular circumstances. Once we do, miracles can and do happen according to His will. I know. It happened to me.

Bob Krech is the author of A Little Faith: A Father’s Miracle Story of Faith, Hope, Love, and a Micro Preemie (Belief Books, 2020) https://www.beliefbooks.com