NO THANKS!
Opening Prayer
I am so thankful, my Lord that You chose me.
Read Mark 6:1–6a
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
A Prophet Without Honor
6 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? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.
Footnotes:
a Mark 6:3 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
So who’s on Jesus’ side in our passages? Are you on His side?Long, exhausting weeks of traveling, and it’s time to return home to family and friends. You and I would look forward to knocking on doors, hugging those dearest to us, sharing wonderful meals, laughing together as we tell hilarious, colorful stories of our escapades. So imagine how Jesus feels as He heads home to Nazareth only to discover that His family and the other villagers are against Him – they just don’t want to know (2, 3). Definitely no “local boy made good” story here. Their lack of belief stopped His mission dead in its tracks (5): “He could not…” No relationships, no faith, no miracles (4–6). The seed has fallen on hard soil (4:4, 5).
Even with clear evidence of God’s love, provision and care all around them, including in the lives of Christians, some people we may meet still think Christianity is nuts. They choose to ignore God, and maybe even credit the love and care they receive to another source.
Apply
Whom have you been speaking to about Christ? Pray for them today and ask the Lord to show you how to encourage them toward Christ – then leave the results in His hands.
Closing prayer
I pray for my family and friends who I long to become Christians – those who struggle to believe. Touch their hearts, Lord Jesus.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.