Scripture: “(Jesus) went away from there and came to his hometown (and his disciples followed him). (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?
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, brother of James and Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?
And they took offense at him.
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 he could do no mighty work there (except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them).
And he marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mk 6:1-6a)
Observation: I would think that Jesus would get a break at least when he came home to visit.
Analysis: One definition of “marveled” is “dumbfounded.”
I must think that is what was meant using “marveled”; it certainly wasn’t meant as ‘admirable.’ Nothing admirable about the above scenario.
It isn’t because Jesus’ reputation, reports, and news of his exploits didn’t reach home—all he has been doing and saying, complete with historical family background. These folks knew about Jesus.
And? They took offense.
At what? Wisdom? Teaching? Ok, these are ideas and sounds of the mouth. Folks can get upset when words cut to the quick. But getting upset at mighty works? I am going to get upset at…mighty, miraculous, visible, touchable, “I can see that” works? These were MIGHTY works. For sure they weren’t, “Oh, glad Jesus healed that (whatever) now, but really, a little goat’s milk and mashed olive mixture would have done the same thing in a week or two” mediocre works.
I know people like that. Shucks, I am one at times. I will listen intently to a stranger with a reputation than my neighbor whom I have known for years—the guy I see mowing his yard on Saturday and later in the day preparing for Sunday morning.
What is that equal to? Unbelief.
Unbelief is not the refusal to acknowledge facts at hand. In the above reference all the folks acknowledged multitudes of stuff about Jesus. What they refused to make the leap about is this guy, Jesus, being a Prophet or (gasp) embracing the claim that the Carpenter was the Son of God.
That is where I must renew my mind daily (Ro 12:2) and not succumb to the notion that Jesus was a great Teacher or that the Christian walk is only a moral walk. Not so. Not so.
I belong to a chosen generation (1 Pet 2:9), brought for good works, so that I might glorify Him above all things.
At least, keep me from Jesus shaking his head, dumbfounded at my unbelief.
Prayer: Lord Jesus. Separate from the work of Justification, help me to glorify You, bringing pleasure to you, to enjoy you all my days. It is my privilege to serve you. AMEN.
Rick Sutton
“Saturday Morning Coffee at IHOPs”
Mobile 941-730-8106