Mark
6:1–13—The rejection by one’s own
people. Obstacles to ministry may occur with rejection. Jesus’ hometown
of Nazareth takes offense at Him and His work. Earlier Jesus
was rejected by His family and religious leaders. Now He is rejected by the people
(friends and relatives) of His hometown, Nazareth.
There is a touch of irony and tragedy in the words,”his own country.” It might have been, “his country.” “Own” intensifies the closeness of the relationship – his very own
country, Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, worked as a carpenter, and where his family
and relatives lived. The tragedy is that his home folks rejected him. “He came to his own” hometown and they
rejected him. Leaders of his native religion pronounced him “possessed” of the devil. His nation
cried, “Crucify Him!”[2]
They were astonished at His teaching and mighty works.
They could not explain His greatness; they referred to Him as a carpenter and
as the son of Mary along with brothers and sisters. Unable to explain Him, they
took offense or were scandalized by Him. Jesus reacted by saying that a prophet
was without honor among His own people. He was unable to do mighty works
because of the people’s unbelief. Therefore, Jesus left with His disciples to
teach in other towns. Next week we celebrated our country’s independence. God
has blessed America in that given our representative form of democracy and our
rights to practice our faith as outlines in the constitution the Gospel has had
free reign. Not all however is well within our country. Many would want to
stifle the Gospel.
We have no guarantee that America will last
forever. The Lord could allow the Gospel to flourish in another place. Many of
our Lutheran forefathers (and others) came to America to escape religious
persecution happening in Europe. If the church
in America received the same reception as did the Savior in His
hometown would many simply stop coming? How do some today practice their
faith because it is convenient?
[1] Lift High the Cross copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[3] Collect for Proper 9, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St., Louis
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