Mark 6:1-13 (NRSV)
Read Mark 6:1-13 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 6He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. Verse 2On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Verse 3Is 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. Verse 4Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." Verse 5And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. Verse 6And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. Verse 7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. Verse 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; Verse 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. Verse 10He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. Verse 11If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." Verse 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. Verse 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Devotion
Prophets are a strange breed of people. Jesus reminded his disciples, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house."
The proclamation of God's love by Jesus and the disciples was utterly new and strange. The people were amazed by their teaching and mighty works, saying, "What is this? A new teaching -- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him" (Mark 1:27).
But more than amazed, the people of Nazareth were offended by the authority and wisdom of their native son. Unbelief is powerful, blinding people to the truth. Even Jesus was "amazed at their unbelief."¯ How did Jesus challenge unbelief? Ultimately, by his obedient death on the cross. How can we challenge unbelief? Not by argument, but by faithful living in the power of the cross.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, grant that we may be faithful to your mission of bringing God's love to the world. Amen.