Mark 6:4-6, And He could do no mighty work there...

It seems that many times in oder to get the miracle/healing from jesus, the person was required to exercise faith towards him as being the Promised messiah.

 

We know it isn't because He lacked power or authority to do a mighty work. That leaves little else other than the constraints of His mission.

 

Did he require the other person to receive it thru faith though? The problem not from his side, but from their side?

 

I believe the full context goes back into Mark 4-5. Jesus demonstrated He had power over 1. Nature (calming storm) 2. Power over demons (Casting out legion) 3. power over disease (healing woman with blood issue) 4. Power over death (Raising Jairus' daughter back to life)...And then He comes to Nazareth where they do not give him honor and say he's "The son of Mary"--probably a jab at the fact His earthly mom was pregnant and not married. So, essentially, Christ responds to their unbelief by choosing not to work more miracles. We know His "power or authority" is not in question (see previous 2 chapters). It's the way in which people responded to Him (unbelief) that caused Christ to act in return.

This is how i see it anyway

 

What i find interesting in Mark is that he is "Doing something" with flow of his writings. He Likes to sandwich events in between other events to bring a focus about. For instance, Jairus runs and Gets Jesus--begging him to heal his daughter. And right in the Middle of this, the Woman with the blood issue touches Christ's hem of his garment and He tells her that her faith has made her whole. And then Shortly after that, It gets revealed that Jairus's daughter is dead. The woman with the blood serves as a focal point in that when all hope seemed lost for the lady with the blood issue, a touch from the Savior was all she needed--which may have increased the faith of Jairus, particularly since he would need it because he was about to find out his daughter had now died. But regardless of the situation, Christ was the answer and faith brought "salvation" to those who were in need. And then we see the exact opposite situation in chapter 6--a bunch of folks who doubted who Christ was.

 

Jesus could/would do nothing without the guidance of the Father (see John 5:19-21, 30, for instance).

So what was the purpose of the miraculous works of Jesus and His disciples? To demonstrate that the Kingdom of God had come upon those who witnessed/received the blessing.

These works of God were designed to be a witness, but some people (many people in some instances) were closed off to God and a miraculous work would simply harden them to what God was doing. For Jesus to perform miracles in front of those who would reject Him would simply harden them to the gospel. It is a loving act NOT to 'cast pearls before swine.' Perhaps when they are willing to receive a sign, they will receive one. Jesus has given even those who are hostile to Him the sign of His death and resurrection (Matthew 16:4).

When I witness to others and the person turns hostile toward me, I will generally shut down the conversation in an attempt to keep that person from hardening themselves to truth. It is an act of love and compassion. I will often explain that they get to "win" the argument because I am not going to put them in a position they will regret at the final judgment. Sometimes that reopens the conversation, with them realizing that my ego is not tied up in what I am saying. Other times that's simply where it ends. I don't shut the door for them forever, but I also don't approach them again unless they are willing to have a serious talk.

 

I think it as more of a judgment on His hometown than any limits on Jesus' ability to heal. Jesus marveled because of their unbelief. That must have been some impressive measure of unbelief.

 

They lacked faith to believe.

Mar 6:5
And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
Mar 6:6
And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

He will not force Himself on you.

 

There are several instances in scripture where Jesus healed people who did not ask and showed no faith.

It could be the "mighty work" spoken of is not healing (scripture says some were healed) but rather conversion....a willingness to follow Jesus and His teaching. Despite Jesus teaching, very few followed. I.e. no mighty work

 

I think it is widespread miracles and the resulting followers. some were healed, unexpectedly as the lame man

Who was healed without faith? again, the dead? Jesus was showing HE could do miracles and would not do them for show.
He had a purpose and did miracles according to His plan

 

The man at the pool if Bethesda was healed without expressing faith. The man at the synogue with withered hand was healed with expressing faith. The paralyzed man lowered into the room showed no faith, although his friends did.

I agree Jesus did everything according to purpose.

 

Yes, as he came unto His own, and His own received him not right in the town that he grew up in!

What a sad statement, when Jesus sometime if they butno that God was now visiting them...

 

Hebrews 13:2 (CSB) Don't neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.

maybe we are just as guilty