When you Lack faith
Matt.13:53-58
By Ysrael De la Cruz
Last week I preached about how people could have the wrong idea or picture about Jesus based on what they’ve seen or heard about him. People have opinions about you based on the testimony of others, what they have said about you. People’s opinions about you do not quite define who you are. What people thought of Jesus did not quite define his identity. Sometimes, the people who think to know you best are the ones who truly do not know you. This was the case of the people in Nazareth, where Jesus grew up. When Jesus began his ministry, he would travel from town-to-town preaching repentance for entering the kingdom of God. His fame began to grow, and many followed him and put their trust in him (they believed his teaching and what he was about). He went to his hometown and went to the synagogue to teach as a Jewish rabi. You would have thought he would be welcomed as their town-boy, and everyone would be thrilled to see him.
Matt.13:5358 // Mark 6:1-6
What amazed people in the synagogue was Jesus’ wisdom displayed in his teaching. They were astonished at his wisdom. (“Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?”
These people met Jesus with skepticism (disbelief). Where did this man get this wisdom and miraculous power? Isn’t he the carpenter’s son? The son of Mary, bother of James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? They even knew Jesus’ sisters (v.56)
They thought they knew Jesus very well because they could tell who he was related to; the names of everyone in his family; they could tell you what the family business was in town (carpentry). He is the carpenter’s son. How is it that he is a rabbi now? These town people had a limited perspective about Jesus. They knew some things about Jesus, and they could not see pass their knowledge of him. These people were stuck in what they knew about Jesus; they could not believe he was anything more than what they thought. Is he not the carpenter’s son, how is it that he is wise man now? It is the assumption that if you are the son of a carpenter, you would not be educated enough to become a rabi.

(v.57) They took offense at him (they were offended by Jesus)
They were offended by Jesus coming to town as a Jewish teacher; They tripped over Jesus because what Jesus was doing and what they heard about him did not match their opinion of him. They were offended (eskandalizonto) cause to stumble, take offense.
Jesus felt disrespected or dishonor by their skepticism and lack of faith.
Your lack of faith brings dishonor to God, in other words, it doesn’t bring him glory.
(v.57) “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”
Jesus was being applauded and celebrated everywhere else, except in his hometown. Everywhere people wanted to see Jesus and invite him to their house, but not the people of Nazareth, they were offended by Jesus because what they believed about Jesus did not match what they have seen and heard about him.

Your unbelief (lack of faith) keeps you away from God’s blessing in your life. (v.58) Jesus did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
The word lack of faith here is translated (unbelief, unfaithfulness, distrust)
They did not get to see the power of God in their midst due to their distrust.
Jesus told Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”. John 11:40
One of the times Jesus really got angry at his disciples was due to their lack of faith. You unbelieving generation, how long shall I put up with you? Mark 9:19
Why are you so afraid, you still have no faith? Mark 4:40

Our lack of faith hinders us from God’s blessing. It blinds us from seeing God at work in our midst. The people of Nazareth forfeited seeing amazing things in their midst that day. They failed to see God’s glory among them because of their lack of faith. Sometimes, you do not see God’s power in your own life because you are lacking trust in him. God will not display his power if you are still doubting him and dishonoring him with your lack of trust in him. The reason Jesus did not do mighty miracles in Nazareth was due to their lack of faith or unbelief. Lack of faith gets you nothing from God.
imagine a person who profess to believe in Jesus but still lacks faith in him.

There is a cure for unbelief or lack of faith.
-Get to know Jesus better through the Bible. When you spend time with Jesus, it will change your perspective; you’ll get a broader version of Jesus. You will trust him enough to believe he is bigger than what you may think of him. He is capable to do more than we could think of imagine. Our faith in God must be more than just a song we sing; ( “So let our faith be more than anthems, greater than the songs we sing.” Newsboys. Faith or trust in God must be demonstrated, lived out. Is God being honored by your faith or being discredited by your lack of faith?

If you want to have a greater faith or trust in Jesus, then get to know him better. The more you know him the more you trust him. Your trust in him will be evident to others.
You can claim to believe in something, but it won’t be true until people see your action. It is your action that will tell others whether you believe that or not. For instance, Charles Blondin amazed the world in the summer of 1859 walking backward across the tightrope to Canada and returned pushing a wheelbarrow. “Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?” Of course the crowd shouted that yes, they believed! It was then that Blondin posed the question – “Who will get in the wheelbarrow?’ Of course…none of the people did. Shortly after that he made another crossing, and, after a brief rest, appeared on the Canadian end of the cable with Harry Colcord clinging to his back. Blondin gave his manager the following instructions: “Look up, Harry.… you are no longer Colcord, you are Blondin. Until I clear this place be a part of me, mind, body, and soul. If I sway, sway with me. Do not attempt to do any balancing yourself. If you do we will both go to our death.”
His manager trusted him this much and demonstrated it by getting on his back while he crossed from Canada to USA. Trusting Jesus means to get in the wheelbarrow, to trust his word when he says I got you. Do not attempt to do any balancing yourself. Follow my lead.