On Thursday, I remember that God is my Shepherd and Provider.

“1(A) He went away from there and came to(B) his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2And(C) on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and(D) many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3(E) Is not this(F) the carpenter, the son of Mary and(G) brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And(H) they took offense at him. 4And Jesus said to them, (I) "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household." 5And(J) he could do no mighty work there, except that(K) he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6And(L) he marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:1-6)

“…And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.”

I see three points in this last statement:

1. Jesus is willing to provide.

2. We are not always willing to believe.

3. He will not necessarily break through stubborn unbelief.

Jesus is our shepherd and provider. In his lifetime, he demonstrated that time after time. But here, he encountered cynical unbelief. And because of that, he was *unable* to do much. His provisions for our lives always depend upon our faith. He chooses to provide only when we honor him and believe that he can. Our faith is often weak. We are sometimes distraught, terrified, despondent, or nearly at the end of our rope. He can break through any of that and provide at just the right moment. But outright rejection and cynicism—that seems to be something here that Jesus won’t abide.

Consider today that Jesus is a marvelous provider of any and every need you have. Guard against the cynicism and mockery that hardened these people and kept Jesus from showing his mercy towards them.

---Charlie