Mark 6:1-6
He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.
And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?
Is 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. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5
except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.
And he marveled because of their unbelief.
And he went about among the villages teaching.
Oh Little Town of... Nazareth
How still we see thee lie
What Jesus did living out the Gospels Jesus told us.
Matthew 7
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Briefly, let's say archaeologists have found a population of 480 people in the hometown of Mary, Joseph and Jesus, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas — mentioned as the brothers of Jesus in Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3.
Mary's family is not given the Biblical historical nod. Yet they returned to live there and Nazareth records the city saw them as perfectly blended.
Luke 2:51
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Nazareth re-built watchtower Isaiah referred to.
Rejection is something we will all experience.
How did Jesus do with the rejection of his hometown?
Thirteen times he is referred to - not as Jesus bar Joseph - instead Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus is recorded as vacationing. Visiting with His disciples, seeing His mother and family for a week. Having His brothers tell Him to claim His Kingship. Almost being pitched off a hillside at Nazareth.
And with the rejections - Jesus - went Forth to Live Abundantly.
Matthew 4:13
And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtal
Epiphanius in his Panarion (375 AD) numbers Nazareth among the cities without Christians. No relationship to Christ.
Eusebius tells us this is because Constantine, under Diocletian, killed all the Christian great nephews of Jesus who refused to renounce Him. Eusebius (Church History 1.7.14), speaks of “Nazara.” In the same passage Africanus writes of desposunoi - relatives of Jesus - who he claims kept the records of their descent with great care.
Luke 18:37
They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
Jesus healed Nazareth. Even when Nazareth was discredited in Jerusalem, in the Temple, among the Governing Body of the Temple, sneered as biblically of no account, Jesus never says "I'm Jesus of Capernaum."
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we live by faith, not by sight.
Romans 8:24
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Because Jesus healed them.
Nazareth was never lost to history.
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
John 17:19
For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Father God,
How well we remember Atticus Finch in Nell Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird." Surely Nell Harper Lee was really writing of Jesus. The Father who would uphold us to Goodness. To cover us in His Righteousness.
We welcome Thee Lord Jesus. Into the lives of our loved ones, the people we pray for, our concerns and theirs. Into our Churches and Communities. We lift up You and Ask You to dwell here and to heal our Nation. Blessing all Who Call upon Jesus.
Help us Father God, to Live Each Day knowing we will Pass into Your Merciful Hands.
Our common Cause. Jesus. This is our Hope. This is our direction. This is a Call to Look To Him.
God sees us as we are. And His Reaction is Salvation in Jesus Christ.
Living with awareness. Gratitude, Respect for Others. Seeing the Good. Remarking on the Good. Willing to Pray at all times and in all places. This Is Our God. Calling us to uphold and encourage each other. To work for the good of all men and call them precious in the sight of God. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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