Mark 6:1-6 | I Kings 19:14
Jesus was unable to do many miracles in Nazareth, his home town. Stop and think about it for a bit.
…
Does that challenge any of your perceptions about Christ and the power of God? How does it make you feel about yourself, if anything? Does the work of God take the cooperation of humanity? Is this a Jesus-only thing? …was he still building confidence in his divinity?
Have you ever returned to some aspect of home only to feel like you didn’t belong? …maybe because you had changed so much?
“They were repulsed by him.”
What a tough notion.
Mark 6:1-6
Jesus left that place and came to his hometown. His disciples followed him. On the Sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were surprised. “Where did this man get all this? What’s this wisdom he’s been given? What about the powerful acts accomplished through him? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t he Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They were repulsed by him and fell into sin.
Jesus said to them, “Prophets are honored everywhere except in their own hometowns, among their relatives, and in their own households.” He was unable to do any miracles there, except that he placed his hands on a few sick people and healed them. He was appalled by their disbelief.
Then Jesus traveled through the surrounding villages teaching.
I Kings 19:14
He said, “I’ve been very passionate for the Lord God of heavenly forces because the Israelites have abandoned your covenant. They have torn down your altars, and they have murdered your prophets with the sword. I’m the only one left, and now they want to take my life too.”
Prayer
God,
I almost feel like I need to apologize for feeling better about myself when reading that Jesus’ ability to do miracles just wasn’t the same in Nazareth. I’m not rejoicing in the notion (I know the rest of the story!). But I’m grateful for what I sense is a human solidarity he shares - that sometimes, things just don’t go our way.
Even so, having united with Christ in this inability, would you now unite me with him in his ability?
Help me this day to use your power to do well, to choose righteousness, to move justice, even if in itty bitty amounts at a time.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.