1 Corinthians 7:32-40
March 9, 2010
Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples. 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! 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 offence at him. Jesus said to them, Only in his home town, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor. He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Then Jesus went round teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: Take nothing for the journey except a staff— no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them. They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them- Mark 6:1-13
In Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth the people take offense at Him. The religious community had already written Him off. Unbelief, suspicion, pride, and arrogance are all taking up room in this house of prayer in Nazareth. Now His friends and relative – the people from His own hometown will reject Him too. These people were astonished at His teaching and His words. They could not explain His greatness. They referred to Him as they knew Him as a carpenter, the son of Mary along with his brothers and sisters. Unable to explain Him, they took offense or were scandalized by Him. A prophet is without honor among His own people.
That was then, this is now. What sort of reception does Jesus receive today? Those who can’t figure Jesus out, who are unable to get the explanation they want take offense of Jesus and His followers. It was a sad day for the people of Nazareth; it remains a sad day whenever someone rejects the Savior and His message of grace. The Source of the scandal, of course is sin. The result of our own pride: we can not take credit for Jesus’ gifts. Our self-centered desires: we demand that God conform to our expectations of Him. How often have we heard statements such as “I would believe in a god who…” I would not choose a god who is not damming or judgmental”?
The best way to describe the people’s reaction of Jesus’ words Mark uses the word “astonished”. It wasn’t that these folks were amazed, one way or the other. There was a spontaneous mixture of emotions. Not purely positive but not necessarily negative either. They were, astonished. But then they got to thinking. Who is this? Where did He get this knowledge? What kind of wisdom is given to this one? They were filled with “surprised consternation”. They did not know what to make of Him. They had known Jesus their entire life. They could not accept Jesus doing and saying these things in His own right. Knowing that they could not take credit of the success of this native son they would not even consider God as the obvious source.
O almighty and most merciful God, of Your bountiful goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us that we, being ready in both body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish whatever things You want done; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit One God, now and forever.
Collect for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Lutheran Book of Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis
Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use
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