Jesus' Home Coming

Mark 6:1-6

Home-Coming

Mark: An Introduction and Commentary iv. His Own City Rejects Him (6:1–6)

Now Jesus and his disciples seem to have moved inland from the lake to the highlands of Galilee, for he is found teaching, apparently in the synagogue of Nazareth (although unnamed by Mark), which is always his own country, the town of his boyhood,

The questions of “who” and “how”

It is the Sabbath, in Nazareth. Where… what school; What wisdom ..”Who was his teacher? Then there is the recasting of his old identity. The who he was… who he came from… who he is connected to (family). Mark 6:3 (ESV) In a moment we will see 5 questions they were fixated on.

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.

Mark: An Introduction and Commentary iv. His Own City Rejects Him (6:1–6)

They were right in rejecting the earthly background or relationships of Jesus as being the source of his power. It was not as Mary’s son, nor as eldest brother of Joseph’s family, that he did such things: nor was it as the village carpenter,35 as they would have considered him to be. One can sense their slow bewilderment in the listing of his brothers by name. But, having rightly rejected any human source, they boggled at attributing both the wisdom and the miracles to a divine source. They were staggered by such an equation; they took offence or ‘stumbled’ at him, as the Bible says. The people of Nazareth ‘knew all the answers’ about Jesus: they were not prepared for any fresh revelation. Familiarity, to quote the English proverb, had bred contempt

What was the “offense”?

From a message by pastor Paul May not the Paul May that we know:

Nazareth’s Reaction To Jesus?

When You consider Jesus, are you only amazed? Nazareth was a very small town. Scholars are not agreed upon the number, but some have it at 250 and others as many as 500. The entire town was less than 60 acres. His teachings may astonish us… is that enough?Examples of Jesus Teaching that would astonish the Jew.

Do not kill… no do not think angry thoughts

Do not commit adultery… No! do not think lustful thoughts.

You should even love the Samaritans.

They begin to ask 5 questions.

Where did he learn these things?

What is the wisdom given to Him?

How is He performing these miracles?

Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simeon? This statement is disrespectful. Men were known by their fathers, not their mothers.

This is basically saying isn’t that the illegitimate child of that harlot Mary?

His miracles may captivate us… is that enough?

Up to this point Jesus has performed many miracles. He has healed many, calmed storms, cast out demons and raised from the dead. The Nazareans are not rejecting Jesus miracles. They just don’t translate into faith. His background is non impressive… So what?

He is just a blue collar worker. They “Know” Jesus. They have seen him grow up, and they are not impressed. We must guard ourselves against this.

When You consider Jesus, are you Offended?

Skandalizomai- they are scandalized by all this conversation about Jesus. they are offended that this kid they watched grow up could possibly be the Messiah. They were too close to see it. They saw too many “Problems” that they didn’t see the Messiah. When You consider Jesus, are you guilty of Unbelief?

Unbelief (choosing not to believe) limits Jesus and he moves on/away.

This type of “unbelief” is connected to distrust… They didn’t trust Him, though they knew him. They didn’t trust him, though they raised him.

See verse 5… He did no mighty works His miracles were not just magic tricks. Their purpose was to advance the kingdom. If there is a region where they will not spread the gospel, then there he will do little, because it will not advance the kingdom. Jesus Marvels. He only marvels 2 times in scripture. Here and later at the faith of the Roman Centurian.

There were a few who he ministered to. he was able to give was to heal a few sick folk who were humbled enough by pain and need to believe in him,

The Effects of Time… Time Holds Hope There is hope for the rejectors.

As Jesus was rejected by his own, his own family, his own town and friends, so would the disciples be rejected. Later in this chapter the disciples are to learn the fulness of identifying with Jesus. They will learn how to accept hospitality and rejection.

We too must learn this aspect of following Jesus. Being gracious to those who accept our message and being clear of our responsibility when we are rejected.

Yet even when we have completed our witness and have been rejected, scandalized, THERE IS HOPE… we see the family of Jesus later at the cross, in the upper room and one Brother, James, becoming the Leader of the Council of Jerusalem.

We may be rejected as seed planter, but the seed in the ground may yet still grow.