St Mark 6:1-6
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, 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. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.
Reflection
As an NSM4 student, this passage is often quoted to me – usually somewhat negatively: the challenge of ministering to those who know you well, have seen you grow up, have seen you at your lowest. They know your family: watched you deal with a teenager investigating alcohol, sexuality and mental health and have their own view on how you managed (or didn’t). Seems there is ‘nothing new under the sun’ as Jesus faced similar prejudices, and it restricted his power there.
This passage is a reminder that small-minded people can bring you down, stifle what you offer, and they judge according to their narrow standards. Jesus was a great teacher and healer, but even he could not change the preconceived ideas of someone they thought they knew: they were blind to what Jesus offered, thus restricting him.
And it was not just the community, but family too. Mary knew he was special, but did she not share this? Was it simply extended family and cultural expectations that limited things? Jesus was surprised by their reaction: had he really not considered this? It seems he too was still learning.
My calling is clearly NSM4 – to return to minister in my ‘hometown’. But I was not born there: my congregation have not seen my full Christian development and thankfully missed some of the ‘lows’ along the way. But they know my family: my husband and daughter are not Christians and we are not a ‘typical’ family (I work while my husband manages the household). They recognise that I bring a varied spiritual, theological and practical experience and that my day-job helps keep a balance between spiritual and earthly. We should never allow the views of others to turn us aside from a calling we are sure is from God.
Prayer
You call us to serve in many ways. Help us to follow Jesus’ example, recognising that even he faced challenges. Show us how to serve you and grant us the strength to follow that calling, knowing it is from you. Help us to ignore what others say and to avoid being narrow- minded ourselves. Guide us to offer encouragement to others so we can all grow closer to what you want us to be.