Today in God’s Word

Today in God's Word—May 2023

East Tallassee Church of Christ

May 16, Mark 6

Homecoming is an old tradition in many schools, churches and communities. A special time is set aside to honor returning graduates, former members and people who grew up in a town but have since moved away. Reunions are held to bring folks together who’ve not seen one another in years. Although there are usually some somber moments remembering people who have passed away, the celebration is generally a happy time of honor and friendship.

Jesus’ return to Nazareth was not exactly a happy homecoming. The hometown people remembered him, which actually turned out to be part of the problem. The wisdom and works which were so evident in Jesus did not square in their minds with what they thought they already knew about him. How could the carpenter’s son be this eloquent rabbi? How could Mary’s son and the brother of the other family members they knew so well be doing the powerful works they’d heard so much about?

As Daniel J. Boorstin put it, “The greatest obstacle to discovering the shape of the earth, the continents and the oceans was not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge.” What the people of Nazareth thought they knew was the obstacle that stood in the way of discovering the Messiah. Their presuppositions about Jesus blinded them to what they could have been blessed to know. Their prejudice cost them the opportunity to receive great blessings. By taking offense at Jesus, they robbed the village’s most famous resident of the honor he was due.

Across Palestine, the response to Jesus’ message and miracles was far from uniform. While some put their faith in him as Messiah when they heard and saw him, others seemed to be hardened in their unbelief by witnessing the same things. Jesus was no stranger to rejection and skepticism. Not every miracle was tied to the faith of the one who was healed; however, some of them were. But at Nazareth he marveled at their unbelief. It’s interesting to note he did not do many miracles at Nazareth. I think we should understand it was no limitation on his part, but the overwhelming rejection that kept any more than just a few sick folks from being healed.

The citizens of Nazareth missed what people in other places received because of their faithless prejudice. Could that same thing happen to you and me? Might we fail to receive what the Lord is so able and willing to give because of what we think we know? Could we miss the richest gifts he desires to give because our faith is weak or absent? It is to our benefit and his glory that we observe closely and trust deeply.

From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.