Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by His disciples. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were amazed. Mark 6:1-2
Teaching on the Sabbath day as was the Lords usual custom, and as was the common reaction of the people, they were astonished at His teachings. Although, as we will see, it was not His words that perplexed the people, as His words of authority had so shocked the people prior; rather, that such words came from a man they thought they knew so well.
"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that He even does miracles! 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 offense at him. Mark 6:2-3
It was not common practice to state that a person was the son of a woman, though obviously so, it was the practice to mention the father that bore the child. In fact, this is the only place where Jesus is mentioned as Mary's son. This could mean that the father was dead, or as is the case for others I'm told, that the boy was titled "mother's son" because the father was unknown. Jesus was considered an illegitimate child (by some Jews), whose father was a mystery, later on the pharisees would even assault/insult Jesus by pointing to His supposed illegitimacy (John 8:[41])
Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them. And He was amazed at their lack of faith. Mark 6:4-6
Final Thoughts:
What will Jesus say about America when He comes in His glory? What are His thoughts towards us now? Are we surrounded by so many imitations of the real deal that we have lost sight of who Jesus really is? And do we foolishly allow our emotions to decide the very character and nature of God, rather then allow His word to speak the volumes of His truth into our consciousness? Does Jesus fit inside out neat little box, pampered and ready to be rubbed like some cosmic genie when our lusts are left unfulfilled? I wonder when I stand in His presence, will He be amazed at my lack of, or my abundance in faith?
It must be noted that the Lord is full of grace and truth. Grace is undeserved acceptance and love, and it is no cheap love that would otherwise bypass the awareness of sin in an act of ignorant benevolence; no, this love faced our sins head on. When iron pierced flesh and made its introduction with the posterior wood, innocent blood was shed because of our sins, this was the love God demonstrated towards us. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, and we can be sure that He who started this work of love inside our hearts will finish it, making it perfect when He comes in His glory. May we be strengthen in the present in spite of our past, empowered by the boldness of His love that reached out to even a sinner as I.
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