Now the rest of the story… and it is a rather interesting picture of the character of our Lord. Seems after some research that there was a Second Rejection In Nazareth. That is where we find ourselves in this week’s Blog.  The first visit is written of in Luke 4:16-30 and the second visit, the subject of our blog today, starts   in Mark 6:1-6 a record of the revisit to Nazareth.

There is an old saying “that you can’t go home again.” Mark Chapter 6: 1-6 does just that… We get to go go along via the writings of Mark. But things don’t turn out as expected for Jesus and his disciples. Instead it turns out to be a severe test and just as we have learned in this time, there are no harsher critics than those of family and friends; home ain’t always a friendly place. I don’t believe we would be wrong in thinking that Jesus just wanted to see his old home and be among his own people. Of course he was accompanied by his disciples, which in that day would be expected of a Rabbi. The Rabbis moved about the country accompanied by their little circle of disciples, and it was as a teacher, with his disciples, that Jesus came. Jesus would always go to the synagogue and teach whenever he could but on this occasion the result was somewhat different than elsewhere. What he taught was not accepted with wonder but with outright contempt. The ringer here was they knew this man, this Jesus and yet his remarks were rejected…they offended those there. They knew where he came from, his background…how could he have such wisdom, how could he say and do what he did? Their “Familiarity had bred a mistaken contempt.” Why do you suppose this happened? I found the question worth some time and interest to do some research and see if any of the sources I go to had an opinion. So here is my take on this …First they asked is this not the carpenter from Nazareth? The meaning of the word carpenter in those days holds part of the answer to this question. It also carried with it the fact that a carpenter was a handyman…a craftsman, why he could build you most anything. But the reason the people of Nazareth despised Jesus was because he was a working man. They looked on him as a man of the people… a layman an ordinary man. There is a tendency to place people by values other than their character and worth, by externals…you know, sorta judging a book by its cover. These people in Nazareth knew Jesus’ family. Perhaps they were to close to him and his family and this familiarity bred an atmosphere of un-belief…he is but an ordinary man…how is any of this possible?  Healing requires Faith, preaching and teaching requires an effort to listen and receive. When we are cold and unreceptive and indifferent…God does not abide in a place of hate and confusion. There is a truth here we miss. It is our responsibility to receive,  we can either help or hinder the work of Jesus Christ. We can open the door and receive or slam it in His face and be lost.

So why did Jesus go back to Nazareth…Because he loved the people there and he wanted them to believe and be saved. Jesus loves you also… believe and be Saved.…

Life is Good

jk