A Disappointing Visit Home
Opening Prayer
Lord God, I’m amazed when I think of how great and good You are to me and all Your creatures.
Read Mark 6:1-6
[1] Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! [3] Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. [4] Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why were these people so skeptical about Jesus?Even if we were to get everything right (from God’s perspective) it might not make other people like us, or understand us, or make our lives go smoothly. Jesus went home—perhaps for some rest after a stressful period of teaching—to the one place where one expects to be loved and cherished (1). But it didn’t go well (3). Moments like these are deeply saddening; they catch us with our guard down and are very painful. It was no different for Jesus. He was “amazed” at their reaction (6).
We started this series wondering what it felt like to be Jesus. In Mark 3:21 his family visited him because they feared he was out of his mind. Now he’s visiting them, and things have not changed much. In the intervening weeks Jesus has done so much. His unlooked-for fame has spread to distant cities. But back home, he is still “the carpenter,” Mary’s boy, nothing more.
It’s often hardest to be Christians among our close family because they know the faults that we usually hide. It was a problem for Jesus, too.
Apply
Have you had an experience similar to Jesus? Resolve to keep faithfully living in spite of any disappointments.
Closing prayer
Lord, I know rejection and disappointment are to be expected, but help me never to be discouraged by them.
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