Mark 6 -- A Little Too Familiar

Jesus had returned to His hometown of Nazareth, where He’d spoken once before.  Again He entered the synagogue and began to teach.  About His words they said, “Where did this man get these teachings?  What is this wisdom that has been given to Him?”  What He said stirred their hearts, but what they saw didn’t:  “He is just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon.  And His sisters are here with us.”  Mark adds,  “So the people were upset with Jesus.”

 

They’d watched Him grow up.  They knew His family (and we often forget that He had quite a large one).  They felt that He was being “uppity” with them, knowing that He’d never had formal religious training.  So they scorned Him, not for His words, but because they felt He was too much like them.  That meant that they were in actuality scorning themselves, feeling themselves unworthy of a visit from God Himself.

 

Mark then says, “So Jesus was not able to work any miracles there except to heal a few sick people by putting His hands on them.  He was amazed at how many people had no faith.”

 

What caused this failure?  Certainly Jesus’ power from God had not diminished.  It was the lack of faith exhibited by people who knew Him well.  So faith must play a huge part in the miracle business.  If we do not expect, then it’s not likely to happen.

 

I think we also must be careful not to let familiarity cause us to get too cozy in our relationship with him.  Yes, He is our dearest friend, but He is also the Holy Son of God – our Savior.  And we must always keep that at the forefront of our thinking.

 

Father, I thank You for giving me a Savior who is closer than a brother.  But keep reminding me that He is also the One who created all things.  Let me never presume upon His friendship or His grace.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

 

Gary Ford