Crumbs 99

 

Crumbs 99

A Prophet Without Honour

Mark 6:1-6 NIV6 Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offence at him.4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.

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Crumbs

Jesus is rejected and the community is deprived of blessing, Their reasons are particularly sad. Firstly there was a rejection of the familiar. This can be a source of loss of blessing. We may despise something that God is offering from our everyday live because we think we know how it works; not realising the value God places on the mundane. Often the exotic is assumed to be superior. It is not always so.

Secondly there was class. He worked with His hands. .Once again it comes down to values. Too often the academic is rated more highly than the practical. Intelligence is mistaken for wisdom.

Thirdly there was family. Is a man to be rejected on the basis of His race, His nation or His class? There is no distinction in the sight of God.

Verses five and six challenged me. I puzzle over Christ’s inability to do miracles in this case but I learn that He proceeds on the basis of faith. Any enlightening thoughts would gratefully received. It seems to me that when God comes against human need an element of faith is essential in God answering that need. How could the Son of God be apparently weakened in this way? God is a God of grace. He proceeds in a way that is best for us.

(Any enlightening thoughts would gratefully received.)

Questions

1. What prejudices have deprived you of blessing?

2. What do we learn about the conduct of our relationship with God ?.

3. To what extent does God allow human lack of faith to govern his activity?