In chapter 5, Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who then gratefully tells people about Jesus and the miracle. Mark recalls at the end of the passage that "All the people were amazed."
Who wouldn't be amazed at the miracles of Jesus?
The irony comes in the very next chapter - a little time has passed according to Mark. Jesus has left Jairus' house, where he raised Jairus' daughter from the dead - no small miracle - and returned home to Nazareth for a visit.
Again, Mark recalls, that many of the neighbors who heard him preach in the Nazareth synagogue were amazed at his teaching.
But...
Others took offense - perhaps jealous of the attention he was getting.
"Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon?" (I can picture today's news media questioning his credentials, 'He's just a plumber!')
None of this irony was lost on Jesus, the Bringer of miracles. As Mark recalls,
"He was amazed at their lack of faith." Mark 6:5
I healed the blind man, raised the dead girl, and now you're wondering why I can preach the Word of God?
And today...
I'm sure he's still amazed - and mercifully compassionate - at our lack of faith, despite the blessings and miracles surrounding us every day.
I'm amazed that he could love a sinner like me. But I'm glad he does.
What do you believe?
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