WHO IS JESUS?

WHO IS JESUS?

Mark 6:1-3

Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples. 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? 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 offence at him. (NIVUK)

Familiarity does breed contempt.  But that is not normally true for the local-boy-come-good; or the town that glows in the reflected glory of one of its sporting sons.  However, in this passage it is astonishing to see how quickly the narrative moves from 'amazing teaching' to 'offence'.  Why?  Offence is certainly not a natural sequel to amazement.  Something else is going on here.

Jesus moved from the Galilee lake-side, west to Nazareth which was between 20 and 40 miles depending on the route.  It had been home to Jesus for many years since returning from Egypt (Matthew 2:19-23).  The family grew as Mary and Joseph had children who were half-brothers/sisters to Jesus, because Jesus was uniquely conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20-21).  Joseph was a carpenter and so Jesus took that trade (Matthew 13:55).  It seems that Joseph had died by the time Jesus' public ministry started and so the Son of God took over responsibility for the family woodworking business and supported His mother.  So, He was a local tradesman who had become both a celebrity figure and a mystery.  But celebrities did not come from Nazareth: a regional saying mocked the town's prospects, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46)     

By the Sabbath day Jesus and His disciples were in the same synagogue where He grew up.  As He began to teach many were amazed, and many others had more questions than answers (Luke 4:13-40).  In summary, the problem was how could this local man, who had never been trained as a Rabbi, teach with such authority and do miracles (Mark 1:22)?  They did not deny the miracles or the wisdom; but to accept that such an unlearned local man had authority which exceeded the town's religious leaders was a problem (Mark 1:27).  It was not the goodness, truth or miracles that got Jesus into trouble: the problem was that He was in a different moral league, and it was all a bit too close to home (Matthew 15:12).   He had an authority that they did not.  God, at close quarters, presents a real problem to those who want Him to be no better than them.

Most non-Christians are content for believers to do worship and fellowship in private - away from public view.  Out of sight, is out of mind... nothing to trouble the disobedient conscience.  But a public demonstration of faith in Christ will always get its unfair share of derision - whether that be for admitting church attendance, reading the Bible, or going to the office Christian group.  Not everybody will be agitated, of course – many will show a sympathetically patronising reaction.  But the offence is there, if the presence of Jesus is genuinely expressed.  Don't dodge it.  The good news is that the moral disturbance is often the first stirring of conscience.  You live out your Christian life transparently, and explain why (1 Peter 3:15), and although some will not want to know, God will move some of your friends and colleagues to seek Him and receive His blessing (Matthew 11:6).

Father God. Thank You that Jesus has all authority over everything and everybody. Forgive me when I do not risk being mocked. Please help me to keep on being transparently Christian otherwise they may never see how much a person can be changed by You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.