Mark 6 - 12.17.24

SCRIPTURE: Mark 6:1 – 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.”

OBSERVATION

Jesus is in his hometown and the people there just couldn’t get past their human knowledge of Jesus – as the carpenter – and see his spiritual position, power, and purpose.

APPLICATION

That old saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover” comes to mind.  Although what Jesus experienced is in reverse of what we primarily know that saying has been used, I still think it can apply in this scripture. Normally that saying applies to someone who is positionally lower than their true position.  For Jesus, in his hometown, he’s showing his higher position by healing, showing great wisdom of the scriptures, but they can’t believe he qualifies for the status of his position. The people who knew him growing-up couldn’t understand how Jesus could be doing all the healings, have the amazing wisdom, or perform other miracles because he’s just the local carpenter. Their hearts and head were stuck in the past instead of believing what they were hearing or seeing. They had an amazing opportunity to embrace Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. Unfortunately, as verse 6 says, “He was amazed at their lack of faith.”  They just couldn’t comprehend the Jesus they knew is the Jesus they are witnessing all because they lacked faith.

Have you ever known someone that doesn’t look like they could be Christian just because of how they look or maybe what you’ve known of them in the past?  Sometimes our human nature goes to  judging others by their cover and not how Jesus sees them.  Everyone we encounter is precious in the sight of God. Everyone needs Jesus and is worthy of his forgiveness.  When we practice God’s love and faith, we can take our faith and believe that God can do great things in their life.

Faith is something that’s hard to describe because it doesn’t have anything to do with seeing things but it’s about the unseen. In John 20:29 “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Hebrews 11 talks about faith as hope and the assurance of what’s not seen: “ Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

Sometimes faith can go down the wrong path too. It’s important to always test what you see and experience. In John 4:1 - 3 we’re instructed in this way:

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.”

PRAYER

Dear Lord, forgive me for the times my faith is shortsighted in others. Help me to always see people as you see them. You came into this world to save everyone if only they would turn to you. During this time of season, we are celebrating your birth here on earth. You lowered yourself to become a man, yet your own family and friends didn’t recognize your position. When I encounter others, help me to always point them to your position as Savior, and the Son of God. In Jesus mighty name!  Amen

- Mary Oberg