Why Do You Reject Him?

Bible Passage: Mark 6:1–6

Summary: In Mark 6:1-6, Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth, where He faces skepticism and rejection from those who have known Him since childhood. Despite His wisdom and mighty works, they struggle to reconcile His miraculous deeds with their perception of Him as just another local man.

Application: This passage speaks to our tendency to overlook or reject the extraordinary when it comes from a familiar source. For Christians, it encourages us to examine our hearts and attitudes toward Jesus—are we truly recognizing the full scope of His power and presence in our lives, even in the mundane? It challenges us to combat complacency in our faith and be open to His works.

Teaching: The passage teaches us about the danger of familiarity breeding contempt, and how this can lead to spiritual blindness. It highlights the importance of faith in recognizing and receiving the full ministry of Jesus, illustrating that even the miraculous can be dismissed by those who think they know Him best.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus is portrayed here not only as a teacher and miracle worker but also as one who is ultimately rejected by His own people. This act of rejection mirrors the larger narrative of Scripture, where God’s messengers often face opposition from those closest to them. Jesus’ experience foreshadows His ultimate rejection on the Cross, enriching our understanding of His sacrifice and the grace offered to a skeptical world.

Big Idea: Familiarity with Jesus does not negate His authority or power; we must guard against a dismissive attitude that hinders our faith and relationship with Him.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider using Logos to explore the historical context of Nazareth during Jesus' time and how societal norms influenced the people's perception of Him. You might also investigate the literary structure of Mark's Gospel and the significance of healing and rejection themes. Look into commentaries that highlight the significance of faith and skepticism in this scripture, which can offer deeper insights into application.

1. Familiar Faces, Fresh Wisdom

Mark 6:1-2

His teachings amazed His listeners, yet their astonishment didn't translate to faith. This suggests that awe without faith leads to a partial understanding of Jesus' identity.

This is the people of Nazareth’s true problem; a limited view of who Christ was. Their amazement was not the sort that lead to faith, it was the sort that leads to false conclusions.

Later Christ would seek to sharpen the disciples focus on who exactly he was. Mark 8:27-30

Mark 8:27–30 KJV 1900

And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

Their blindness despite their amazement, challenges us to seek and appreciate God's wisdom, even when it emerges from “ordinary settings”.

Let us focus on their three questions for a moment.

Where did this man get these things? Answer Isaiah 11:2 “And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;”

What is the wisdom given to him? Answer Isaiah 11:2 and Colossians 2:3.

How are such mighty works done by his hands? Answer Isaiah 35:5–6 “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, And the tongue of the dumb sing: For in the wilderness shall waters break out, And streams in the desert.” Also see John 14:10 and Acts 10:38.

2. Past Perceptions, Present Barriers

See here what hinders them from a full orbed view of who Christ was, Mark 6:3

Mark 6:3 KJV 1900

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Their familiarity with Christ is their hindrance to true faith and the breeding ground for unbelief. Growing unbelief as mold or yeast as it leavens, familiarity in this case was a “petri dish” full of bacteria, growing unbelief.

You see their familiarity with him as merely the carpenter, Mary's son, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon hinders them from recognizing His divine nature and authority.

What is hindering you from seeing Jesus as He truly is? For who He truly is?

Some are so close to church, contemporary church, American Christianity, that they have missed Christ all together.

Judas was close, he was one of the twelve, Yet he betrayed him and was lost. He too was familiar with Christ as Rabbi, Teacher, Friend, yet betrayed him with a kiss.

Are you so close to Christ that you take him for granted? Do you take who he is for granted?

Are you so familiar with church as usual, have you been blinded to what God is doing?

3. Close Contempt, Costly Consequences

Mark 6:4-6

Here we see the truth, that familiarity breeds contempt.

Matthew Poole says concerning Jesus not being able to do any mighty works:

“Our Saviour (though there was a deeper cause) assigneth this the cause why those of Nazareth paid him no greater respect. Unbelief in us bindeth the hands of God. He could there do no mighty works, &c.: he could not, not from a defect of power, but the exercise of Divine power is always regulated by wisdom, and in consistency with his wisdom he could do no mighty works there: for the end of our Saviour’s miracles being either to convert unbelievers to the faith of the gospel, or to confirm weak believers in it, he foresaw that the performing of miracles there would be without any saving effect, and suspended his miraculous power.”

Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, vol. 3 (New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1853), 159.

Poole’s first conclusion in this matter is that Christ by divine wisdom could do no mighty work here because it would cause no one too believe. They were hardened to the Gospel and were not going to be swayed.

His second conclusion was that Christ would not do any great work among them for it would be throwing pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6).

Yet, Christ, is seen to at least heal a few sick people. These would be those who would believe and who would receive him. And he did not neglect even the least “little” healing.

It says that he marveled at their unbelief. So wonderful was his teaching, heavenly was his wisdom and so powerful were the miracles that He is amazed that they still reject him. Now this amazement is surely limited to his human nature, knowing full well that Christ by eternal nature knew what was in every man (John 2:24-25).

Have you been desensitized to the Gospel because of familiarity?

Has it become mundane?

Note that Jesus still did not give up on these, He continued to teach them and point them to Faith in Him.

Application

Remember God in the mundane, remember he is at work in your life and remember to be thankful for his divine work in everything.

Guard against complacency, make a thorough and honest examination of your life. Where are you complacent? Where do you have room to grow?

Actively share with others what God is doing in your life and what area you are prayerfully wanting to grow in. Make this a part of Sunday School class or small groups or even part of your family worship/devotion.