Mark 6:4-5
God
very rarely does things in this present world without human participation. We
see in Scripture that there weren’t many instances when the LORD just did
things. We see creation and a few other divine judgments, but otherwise, the
LORD works with and through people. It is not that the LORD can’t work
independently, but that He chooses to work through His servants.
I
am not talking about acts of His providence, like the spinning of the planets
and the falling of rain. These we often take for granted. Or when something
horrible takes place, like the hurricane deaths recently, God gets blamed, as
though the LORD targeted the people individually, like a vindictive teenager.
We
must remember that we live in a world that has been negatively affected by sin.
Sin’s results not only changed us as people, but the world itself. And since we
live in a world changed by sin, bad things happen.
Jesus
has gone to His hometown and has tried to carry on ministry there, but the
people there just didn’t believe in Him. They got hung up on His background and
family.
Jesus
points this out to the people who are questioning the origin of His wisdom and
His family connections. He uses this proverb to explain His hometown reception.
It can be hard to go back home and face the music. This is true even if you
have become successful.
Notice
that Jesus couldn’t do His usual ministry there. Usually crowds gather and
Jesus teaches and heals many. But in His hometown, there aren’t many people who
have faith in Him, or in His ability to heal. And Jesus doesn’t force Himself
on them. He doesn’t heal them against their will.
The
contrast between what normally happens when Jesus is out teaching is stark.
Jesus brings restoration and the people reject His restoration. Notice the
words. Jesus was unable to do His ministry there. The One who raised the dead
couldn’t work in His hometown.
Are
you standing in the way of what the LORD wants to do in your life? Are you
rejecting His plan because you have some questions about who Jesus is or about
His qualifications to do what He did in Scripture, or what He wants to do in
your life? Maybe what you think you know
about Him is getting in the way of knowing Him. Faith takes knowing Him more
and then trusting what you know, that He is faithful. He never changes.