Text: Mark 6:1-13
Facebook live: Rejected!
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”
As Jesus continues to go about his business of teaching the word, healing the sick and casting out demons … questions arise.
6 [Jesus] went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?
Last week Jesus raised the little daughter of the synagogue ruler. Now, he finished the Gospel lesson from last week with these words:
43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Those who had been kept outside the little girl’s room knew she was dead and after Jesus went in to the room with her parents and his disciples the people, who had remained outside too, saw the little girl going about.
Nothing needed to be said. The miracle of her being raised from a death they were sure of … to life … spoke for itself.
“Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Jesus is rejected!
The neighbors in Jesus, hometown of Nazareth rejected him, who had grown up among them. He, who was known to them as the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon and his sisters? They knew his family and while the debate continues that Jesus was the only son of his mother Mary the term (brothers) can be connected with cousins and near relatives. These people knew Jesus and his family … And they took offense [not at them but] at him.
Offense can come from those who know us, or can be directed at those we know. Being connected to Jesus and being Christian – in our day – is, for many, offensive.
What we proclaim in Jesus, and the truth of God’s word that we hold to, are not in step with the culture.
In years past when we spoke the truth of the faith it might have brought a giggle from those who oppose Christ or have no Biblical understanding, but now the consequences for our faith are real.
Is our freedom as Christians to be pushed behind the walls of the church or kept within the confines of our own homes? When we enter the world is our faith and beliefs to be left home or at church and are we to only parrot the views of the culture and submit to them.
These are hard questions that we each must look at and answer. The signs at many churches read as you leave the parking lot … “You are now entering the mission field.”
Will it be changed to reflect, “You have now entered the civil realm?”
This is nothing new. Our Old Testament lesson for today reminds us.
3 And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. 4 The descendants also are impudent [not showing due respect for another person; impertinent] and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ 5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.
Friends, it is not just the culture that rebels against God, but we as the Christian church – you and me - who have rebelled.
We trust not the word of God but the dictates of man.
We see church attendance become an afterthought and not the gift God intends it to be, and we endorse living together before marriage as an accepted and normative lifestyle for the Christian.
If the word of God is used to call sinners to repentance it is largely unheeded and unheard. Those who listen but refuse to hear at times change churches rather than repenting and continue on as if it’s no big deal, or they ask the church to play along and get with the program … and we wonder why the culture doesn’t take us seriously.
6 And [Jesus] marveled because of their unbelief.
If the church won’t listen why would the culture?
And [Jesus] went about among the villages teaching.
7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
Jesus sends the word out and he uses foolish things like pastors preaching and teaching. He uses water, bread and wine connected to his word and by his Spirit.
The phrase … Christ dwells … really means to take up residence … to make your home, his home.
He wants to be part of your life.
He wants to hear your repentance because he already knows your sin.
He also knows that he has paid the price for your sin and he desires for you … in repentance … to see this too.
By coming to him and confessing that sin he can comfort you with his blessed forgiveness telling you through the words of holy absolution that you, dear child, are forgiven.
As you celebrate today and tomorrow the freedom which is so important for we as Americans, remember those that came before us and paid the heavy price for the freedoms we enjoy.
I saw a wonderful sign that read:
The United States did not create Religious Freedom,
Religious Freedom created the United States.
Pause and also think about the one who brings true freedom for you and me who called you out of slavery to sin, death and the devil and gave you sonship in his name. Jesus has brought you peace with the Father by his very body and blood for you. He has given this for you to eat and drink and he keeps you, by his Spirit, pointed to Jesus.
Jesus was rejected so that you might be restored!
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
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