Our scripture this morning is Mark 6:1-5.
Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.
Jesus came as a human to help us better understand God’s love. Because of His humanity it was often hard for people to see Him as the Messiah, especially those in His hometown of Nazareth. It is often difficult for us to accept those with whom we are familiar in any way but the way we came to know them.
He wanted very much to teach and heal people while He was in Nazareth, but their unbelief prevented them from receiving His blessing. It’s not that His power was limited, but it was their choice not to believe. They could only see Him as the carpenter they knew.
We need to be open to the fact that God works among us and through us, wanting us to use our gifts and to rejoice when others are blessed to use theirs. The old saying “familiarity breeds contempt” is certainly at work in this passage and this reaction is not what God intends. We must be ready to work together, recognizing His love shared in unusual ways and through unexpected people.
Gracious God, help us to see Your love and light displayed in all Your children, not just those we expect. Bless us to go in Your name, accepting Your call on our lives. Amen.