July 4 – Mark
MARK 6:1-13
You know, Jesus was from a small town just like us. Do you know how you tell if you are from a small town? You know you are from a small town when:
- The “road hog” in front of you on Main Street is a farmer’s combine.
- The local phone book has only one yellow page.
- You leave your jacket on the back of the chair in the café, and when you go back the next day, it’s still there, on the same chair.
- AND – Everyone knows all the news before it’s published; they just read the hometown paper to see whether the publisher got it right.
Perhaps the question that we need to think about this morning, however, is what is it about familiarity that builds contempt? For Jesus’ rejection in His hometown proves that this old adage is true. When Jesus began to preach in the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth, at first the people were captivated by Jesus’ teaching, but then they began to say, wasn’t he a carpenter, the son of the carpenter, Joseph? Just like every other small town in the world throughout the centuries, everyone thought they knew everything about everyone else. Then they took offense at Jesus and did not believe in Him or what He was saying. In other words, they reasoned that He was still the Jesus they had known all their lives, and who was He to think He was better than them. Not only this, but His birth was questionable. We can imagine the gossip that swept through the town when Mary was pregnant but not yet married, and we can be sure that many still remembered and questioned the circumstances of Jesus’ birth.
Their reaction is certainly not a flattering picture of the residents of Nazareth. They come across as being small -minded, mean-spirited, and perhaps even jealous of Jesus. Before we blame them, however, we have to ask ourselves what we would do today if one of our neighbors who we knew and found ordinary, all of a sudden turned into a charismatic teacher who claimed He was the Messiah. I bet we too would all be skeptical. After all we tend to see what we expect to see, and most of us are slow to accept any challenge to our preconceived notions about someone or something.
I would like to suggest to you that this attitude about Jesus is still alive and well today! Many believe Jesus is no one special! Some believe He existed but was just a prophet but not the son of God; while others think that Jesus is just a made-up person that those in need cling to, to make themselves feel better.
Then there are those who have never heard of Jesus or have only a very vague idea of who He is. Often, we think of these people as being somewhere far away, in some isolated part of the world, perhaps living in the backroads of the jungle, but in reality, they are the people all around us. Most likely there are people right here in Perry county that fit into this category.
There are many reasons why this is so. We don’t want to offend anyone or appear too pushy, and often we are not sure that we know the right words. My guess is that many would sooner have a root canal than talk to someone they don’t know about Jesus. Pastors too, have these types of anxieties that they must overcome as they move into their ministry. Sharing our own faith is not always an easy thing for anyone to do.
In spite of the opposition Jesus met in His home town, He did not pull back on His mission. He was not discouraged by the reception He received in Nazareth. Because of their unbelief, however, Jesus’ mighty works were limited in Nazareth. He still did some works, but the response of unbelief hindered Him from doing a “mighty work” there. Because of the response of the people of Nazareth, one writer has called this account an “un-miracle” story.
Jesus, however, continued His teaching and preaching, going from village to village. In fact, He let His hometown experience be a lesson that even more was needed. So, He sent the twelve disciples out in twos and gave them authority over impure spirits so that they could both teach and heal.
More importantly, in sending them forth and giving the disciples the authority over impure spirits, Jesus was highlighting His true identity. Although the people of Nazareth may have still have seen Him as the common man, Jesus the carpenter, by His actions He showed that He really was the Son of God and that He had power over the spiritual realm; for no one can give another the authority that one does not already possess themselves. Thus, Jesus is making clear His kingship.
In spite the opposition, Jesus continued to send His disciples out to prepare the way for His ministry even though He knew they would experience opposition; just as He knows that as His disciples today, we too will experience opposition at times. Yet, He sends each one of us forth to help spread the good news. Like the twelves so many years ago, Jesus knows that we will have to fight our anxieties to be brave enough to share God’s message with others, and when we are rejected, we need to continue on and not be discouraged. For some will respond while others do not. We plant the seed but the Holy Spirit does the work.
Jesus still offers His gift of love and redemption to all people today. When Jesus died on the cross, He did not die for nice people. He died for sinners. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” that means He died for everybody. He died for those who rejected Him in Nazareth and He died for those who still reject Him today. He offers His gifts to all, even those who reject Him time and time again.
As we leave here today, I ask you to think about what is holding you back from the commission that Jesus has given each one of us as His disciples. What is holding you back from sharing your faith with others, from inviting them to a church function or worship service? What is it you need to help you overcome?
Amen