Familiarity with Jesus Can Hinder Your Faith | Mark 6:1-6

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Marvin Steele from Garland, TX. Thank you for partnering with us through Project23. Your support helps people have faith in Jesus. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 6:1-6:

He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and 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? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 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.

And he went about among the villages teaching. — Mark 6:1-6

Jesus returns to his hometown, Nazareth. This is where Jesus grew up, where he learned the trade of a carpenter, and where people watched him grow from a baby to a boy into a man.

And now he's back. But not as a carpenter. But as a Lord. He’s teaching with wisdom. He’s performing mighty works. He’s stepping fully into His divine calling.

And what’s the response? Listen to the skepticism:

“Isn’t this Mary’s son? The carpenter? The kid we used to know?”

They’re amazed—but not expectantly and excitedly. They simply can’t reconcile who Jesus is with who they remember he was.

Familiarity breeds unbelief.

They couldn’t see the Messiah standing before them—because how they remembered him and formerly knew him for so many years.

And because of that, Mark proclaims something staggering:

“He could do no mighty work there… and he marveled because of their unbelief.”

Let that sink in: Unbelief shut the door on what Jesus wanted to do.

Not because he lacked power—but because the people lacked faith.

Jesus doesn’t force his way upon us, and he doesn’t perform signs to show off to his skeptics. He responds to faith, not familiarity.

And the warning of this scripture is simple. You can grow up around Jesus. You can hear his teaching every Sunday.
You can know the stories, quote the verses, sing the songs—and still not have faith in him.

Familiarity is not faith.
Proximity is not surrender.

Faith is seeing Jesus for who he truly is—and responding with awe, trust, and obedience.

So today, the question isn’t: “Are you familiar with Jesus?”
The question is: “Do you have faith in Jesus?”

#FaithOverFamiliarity, #PowerOfUnbelief, #JesusInNazareth

ASK THIS:

1. Are you truly seeing Jesus for who he is, or just as someone you've always known?
2. How can familiarity with Jesus sometimes hinder your faith in Him?
3. In what areas of your life do you need to move from knowledge of Jesus to faith in Him?
4. What does it mean for you to respond with awe, trust, and obedience to Jesus?

DO THIS:

Take a moment to reflect on the areas of your life where familiarity with Jesus has replaced faith and trust. Ask God to reveal new aspects of His character to you today.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I don’t want to merely know about You, I want to truly know You and trust You. Help me see You clearly and respond with faith, awe, and obedience today. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

King of Kings.