Rachel Workman: 6 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. It's easy so sit here on this side of the resurrection and judge people for this reaction. But honestly put yourself in their shoes. Although they did have prophecy on their side all they could see was Jesus the boy they've watched grow up who was Mary and Joseph's son. They would see nothing extraordinary about him. He was common born to a common family.
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith. He couldn't do any miracles there because they people lacked faith. Sounds a lot like me at times.
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John Burnett:
6 Jesus
left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.2 When the Sabbath came, he
began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked.
“What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles
he is performing?3 Isn’t
this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas
and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at
him. The people in His hometown knew Him as a local carpenter so when He
goes global as the Son of Man they do not honor Him.
4 Jesus
said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town,
among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles
there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of
faith. The power of the gospel is activated by our faith in Jesus Christ
and saves us from our sins. The people of His own town did not have faith
in Him thus He did not perform any miracles because faith was required for
healing, just as faith is required for healing of our sin condition.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to
village.
I am
so thankful Rachel for your faithfulness to lead our reading group. It
has been a blessing to me knowing I have coworkers and likeminded friends who
enjoy reading and reflecting on God’s word.
Most
importantly, I am thankful that Jesus Christ died on the cross and was
resurrected on the third day to pay my consequences for my sins. This
gift of salvation is the greatest gift ever given and with all of the chaos
going on around the world, as adopted sons and daughters of God the Father, we
have a future and a hope. It is my hope that you have a wonderful
Thanksgiving and remember the most important thing we have to be thankful for,
our salvation through Jesus Christ.
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Pat Bell: It is hard to remember that Jesus understood
all of the disbelief he had to endure, and yet continues to try to teach us.
His scope is so much larger than what we know.
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Monday's reading for Mark 7-13
8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
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