Mid-Week Musings

July 3, 2024

Suggested Reading: Mark 6:1-6

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

On Sunday morning, July 7, 2014, the Scripture lesson will be from Mark 6:1-6. The sermon title will be Going Home. I hope the following thoughts and questions for reflection help you prepare.

Before returning to His hometown of Nazareth, Jesus had been in Capernaum where He taught, performed miracles of healing, and ate with sinners and tax collectors. Upon returning to Nazareth, He was among people who had known Him from the time He was a little boy.

After returning to Nazareth, Jesus went to the local synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. Mark doesn’t tell us the content of what Jesus taught, but he does tell us how many in the crowd of listeners responded. Their reactions included not only astonishment, but also offense and disbelief. To many of them, there was nothing special about Jesus. They knew His family. They remembered His early life in Nazareth. They remembered Him as a craftsman who had no formal training. Many of the townspeople of Nazareth considered Jesus as one of their own and certainly not a worker of miracles. Jesus knew He would experience rejection, but to have been rejected by His friends, neighbors, and acquaintances must have been hurtful and disappointing. Many that day refused to see beyond their own limited understanding and view of Jesus.

Some additional things to consider:

1. Is your understanding of Jesus too limited?

2. Have you come to understand Jesus in a new and different way?

3. Can you think of anyone who you can better remember as they were than you can accept as they are now?

4. Are there ways in which even followers of Jesus can reject Jesus?

Pastor Ron

Prayer suggestion: As you pray, ask Jesus to help you understand Him better.

Have an enjoyable and safe Fourth of July holiday!