Mark 6v1-13 - Devoted or Deprived

Mark 6v1-6

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An Inconvenient Lesson - EG

A Lesson of Rejection

After the many miracles that Jesus has performed he decides to take the opportunity to give his disciples a hands on lesson in rejection. Knowing the disciples will undoubtedly be taking the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven into hostile places, he sees fit to show them an example of the hostility and consequences of unbelief.

The Gospel Advances In A World of Unbelief

We have entered into unfamiliar time that many classify as post-christian.

Younger generations are less likely to identify with a religion, believe in God, or engage in religious practices than older generations. For example, in the US, 34% of Generation Z are religiously unaffiliated, compared to 29% of millennials and 25% of Generation X. Only 18% of baby boomers and 9% of the silent generation are religiously unaffiliated.

The number of Americans who identify as Christian has been shrinking for decades. In 2020, 64% of Americans identified as Christian, compared to 90% fifty years ago.

It is more important than ever for Christians to begin to ready themselves to be required to faithfully persevere as our early church family was required to do.

It should be a reasonable expectation that Christians WILL encounter suffering and rejection.

Jeremiah, Isaiah, John the Baptizer

Mark 6v1-3

mk 6.1-3

Mark 6:1–3 (ESV)

1 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

ASTONISHED

The fiirst word of note is “astonished”. They were astonished by him but not necessarily impressed. They were not astonished to a point of rightful worship, but astonished because of their literal unbelief regarding Jesus’ seemingly ordinary appearance. You can also see an evidence of their unbelief in who Jesus said that He is based off their reaction to His teaching and what they’ve heard about the miracles that he’s done.

“What is the wisdom given to him?”

They are wrongly assuming that the wisdom was given to him rather than Jesus being the source of all wisdom.

How are such mighty works done by his hands?

Similarly to the teaching and wisdom they assume that Jesus isn’t the source of power but rather has just been gifted this power from some other source. Jesus isn’t the hands that carved the mountains or or who’s the oceans contents can hold, no, they are just ordinary hands.

Colossians 1:16–17 ESV

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

As Mark explains in the previous stories though, Jesus just isn’t just a creator, He is the Creator, He isn’t just a deliver, He is the Deliverer, He isn’t just a healer, He is the Healer.

Carpenter - Ordinary

This would’ve have been said to imply that Jesus was just an “average, everyday fella”, the local plumber, the guy from my 1st grade class, in other words “Just another guy.

The Son of Mary - Heritage or Reputation

This would’ve been a far more insulting statement. In those time it was consider respectful to refer to someone only as “the son of” their father. This could also point to the fact that they assumed Mary was lying about Jesus’ conception and that he was a illegitimate child.

Brothers and Sisters

This was further submitting the case that they doubted Jesus because “they knew him”. We know where you come from.

Their familiarity with Jesus made harder not easier to put their faith in him

This is highlighted by Jesus in v4

Mark 6:4 ESV

4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

And this something in our time we need to examine as well.

We also struggle with the ordinariness and familiarity of Jesus.

Some of you value the teachings of Jesus and the good principles of stories, but so long ago, so far away, and it’s not quite enough to compel you towards total devotion. Perhaps it’s because you don’t see Him for who He rightly is.

Some of you have been at this Christian church thing for a while. You’re familiar with the Sunday/Wednesday routine. You volunteer occasionally. And you, like so many in our day and time, have found a way to turn a relationship with Jesus into something ordinary. Perhaps it’s because you don’t see Him for who He rightly is.

2 Timothy 3:5 ESV

5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

OFFENDED

Why were they offended? Undoubtedly because of the message and presence that Jesus was presenting. In v4 Jesus referred to Himself as a “prophet”. Not in the sense of a “future predictor”, although sometimes that is the case, but instead someone that proclaim the message of God. Consistent with the characteristics of an OT prophet.

Filled and empowered with the power of God

Filled with an intimate relationship with God

He did in-fact give predictions, some of which have come to pass already

Exposed the shallow and corrupt hearts of religious leaders

He shared God the Fathers heart for those spiritually lost

He proclaimed Gods supreme and final reign and judgement of all creation

He called people to repentance - to change their attitude toward God, admit their sin, turn from their own way and begin following God and his purposes

This most assuredly caused the people in Nazareth to take offense to Jesus who in their eyes was Just an ordinary man. Thus securing their destruction.

They couldn’t accept a God that didn’t fit into their box of what a God should look like

John 1:11 ESV

11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

Deprived

Mark 6:5 ESV

5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

Jesus obviously has a reputation for doing miracles wherever he goes and yet when he arrives He “could do know mighty work”.

The power of the Creator, the Deliverer, the Healer was available them and had been available to them for longer than any other group of people, but they were deprived from the wonderful gift of the presence of Jesus because of unbelief do to their familiarity without intimacy.

There are people filling churches every Sunday and Wednesday and they are “amazed” some honest enough to admit they are “offended” and if their really honest they would also admit that they are deprived of the benefits of Jesus because of their lack of faith. -Alistair Begg

Mark isn’t saying that Jesus was limited by the people of Nazareth. Or by geographical proximity to His home.

Jesus was limited in reality by His own character. He didn’t want. Perform miracles for people that would not see Him as He truly is.

He is not some traveling magician here to perform tricks at request and whim of the crowds. He is God Almighty in the flesh. Worthy of all praise, exultation, and devotion.

And it would actually be cruelty and immoral to give these people momentary comfort and leave them in a state at risk of eternal damnation. He is more than willing to give good gifts, but not to the cynical skeptic.

This is another lesson that he was teaching His disciples. And this is a good example for all of us. Will we compromise the true Gospel in an attempt to tickle the ears of those who we minister to in order to maintain our notoriety and popularity.

JESUS WAS AMAZED

There are only two times that Jesus was recorded being amazed.

Abscence - Here

Presence - Luke 7 The Story of the Centurion

Why?

Privileges

- Time

- Proximity

- Frequency

Some of us have been sitting in that situation for years and haven’t yet fully surrendered our lives over to Christ. Again, we may think Jesus is simply ordinary or perhaps we are to comfortable with our familiarity with Jesus. And so you have rejected Jesus from His rightful home, your heart

And so tonight my plea is to knock you off the fence. to plant your flag and stake your claim on the riches of Christ if you only believe.

Some of you may be hesitant because of your “unworthiness”. Let me say that is exactly the place you should be. People don’t visit a doctor when everything is well. That’s the duty of sick people.

Matthew 11:28 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

There are some of you who know that Christ is God. You know He is able to save from sin. You know He is able to save YOU, and yet you are unsaved. And I marvel at your unbelief because you confess that it leaves you in a state of ruin and will land you in a state of everlasting confusion! You know you are filthy, and that the fountain is open—why, then, do you not wash? You know Christ will save you if you trust Him. You know He is worthy of your trust. O Sirs, why do you not trust Him? In the name of everything that is reasonable, why not trust Him? God grant you may.

Your unbelief is the more amazing because the cause from which it arises is so inexcusable. With some of you your unbelief is the effect of inconsiderateness. You do not think about it. You believe, but believe superficially. You do not weigh and judge. Oh, is it so? Will you ruin your own souls for want of thought? You look, as I gaze upon you, to be men and women of intelligence. And can you, with intelligence and education, trifle with your souls? Eternity, eternity, eternity! You know its meaning, and yet can you trifle with it?

You are immortal, no flame shall ever devour your soul. You shall outlast the sun, and when the moon has waned for the last time, you still shall live. And will you dare to tempt God's anger so as to live forever beneath His frown? When a simple trust in Jesus will secure for you a happy immortality—shall you through carelessness suffer your soul to drift down the stream to the dark ocean of despair?

My dear Friends, some of you who have been sitting here for years and yet do not believe—you are marvels to me! Count you that little? You are marvels to many in your family who long since expected to see you on the Lord's side. You are a wonder to devils—even they cannot make it out—the power of their spells has amazed even them! You are a wonder to the damned in Hell—with what welcome alacrity would they avail themselves of an opportunity to escape from misery, and yet you trifle with such opportunities!

You are a marvel to the angels who would have rejoiced over you if you had returned to your Father, and who wonder that you stand at the Cross's foot from Sunday to Sunday and yet doubt the power of Him who bled on it! You are marvels to the Lord Himself. One of these days, unless you repent, you will be a wonder to yourselves, for this text will come true to you if God prevents it not. "Behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish." But I hope better things of you, even things which accompany salvation, though I thus speak.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. Before the Redeemer was taken up and ascended to His Throne, He left this message to us, His disciples, "Go you into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. But he that believes not shall be damned." Believe and be baptized, and God grant you His salvation for Jesus' sake. Amen.

- Charles Spurgeon - The Sad Wonder - June 12, 1870