And he went about among the villages teaching.
(Mark 6:1-6 ESV)
For some reason that statement surprises me.
To Marvel means "be filled with wonder or astonishment." Jesus was astonished. I don't know why that surprises me so, he was human. BUT he was also God so for God to be astonished just shocks me I guess.
So just what caused Jesus to be so astonished?
He was visiting his hometown of Nazareth. Mind, he'd been away for a spell, so it's not like he just suddenly became someone different. He came back to where he was raised.
Can you imagine it? They were offended that Jesus was standing there teaching them. His family lived among them. How dare he!!!!! He can't teach them! They know him!
It makes me want to shake my head at his town's people. The thing is... I can see it happening though. People don't like when one of their own comes back and starts telling them how to do it better. It can make them feel like one of their own is trying to Lord it over them. Folk don't like that. But at the same time, this is JESUS. Lord, God, Saviour. And they weren't willing to look past it, They were simply offended.
All Jesus was able to do was feel a few people.
Jesus told them "A prophet is not without honour, except in his hometown and among relatives and in his own household."
Makes sense in some ways doesn't it?
With family you are just one of the crowd, nothing special, just family. They know all about you as they grew up with you right?
But at the same time, as one looking in, I too am surprised that they can't see Jesus for who he truly is.
Makes me aware of my own foibles you know. The... not letting someone shine.. because I know them too well. That shouldn't be you know. We should let people be who God has called them to be regardless of their place of origin. Don't you think so as well?
One thing we must note though. Jesus didn't let this rejection stop him. He continued on his way teaching in the villages surrounding. Just because his family and village rejected him, didn't mean that others would. Stopping to think for a moment... not everyone in his village rejected him... some allowed him to heal them. That means something doesn't it?
Jesus persevered despite rejection.