Isn't This Jesus From Around Here?
Mark 6:1-13 Jesus left that part of the country and returned with His disciples to Nazareth, His hometown. 2 The next Sabbath He began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were amazed. They asked, "Where did He get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?" 3 Then they scoffed, "He's just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And His sisters live right here among us." They were deeply offended and refused to believe in Him. 4 Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family." 5 And because of their unbelief, He couldn't do any miracles among them except to place His hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And He was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. 7 And He called His twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. 8 He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick--no food, no traveler's bag, no money. 9 He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes. 10 "Wherever you go," He said, "stay in the same house until you leave town. 11 But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate."
12 So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. 13 And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.
Jesus ministry had plenty of opposition, it had to after all it was three years of intense spiritual warfare, the devil only had three years to "get" Jesus and somehow disqualify him from the purpose that he came here for. The opposition from the people of any town was never as severe as it was from his hometown. They knew a lot of facts about Jesus, his family and his occupation, but they missed who Jesus really is.
Jesus let them know that they need to be ready for rejection, it happened to the Master, it will happen to his students (Matthew 10:24). Nobody likes rejection but we will have to deal with it if we are going to talk about our Savior, when we talk to our family and friends we may find the most opposition, just like they did to Jesus.
Jesus had the power to do more miracles there but he didn't have the will or maybe they just didn't ask for his help because of their unbelief.
I have to keep the faith and tell people about my Savior, no matter what their response is, Jesus already knew that not everybody was going to accept him.
Help me to speak up for you Lord and share about you, help me to accept rejection and shake my sandals off and keep on sharing.
