Mark 6:1-6
A Prophet Without Honor
1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 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? 3 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 offense at him.
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
The story of Jesus returning to His hometown is an interesting story of faith, and what a lack in faith does to us...When Jesus went back to His hometown of Nazareth the people there had little faith in Him.Yet, at the same time they noticed something different about Him, and they heard Him speak in the synagogue and were all amazed...They had seen Him and realized that He had grown in wisdom from His teachings in the local synagogue...But how could He have gained this wisdom about God?...They knew His growing up background and His educational background as well...How could a carpenter's son speak as He did in the synagogue?...They knew much about His past and knew He was the Son of Mary...Plus His brothers and sisters lived among them...And so they took offense at Him...He could be no different than when He left them...Their headstrong unbelief in Him, hurt them in knowing about this wisdom and authority that had been given to Him by God...A hometown local Boy could not become a Great Teacher and Prophet, so they thought...The local people would lose out on some great and mighty things, that He could do...
They could not believe that the One they knew as a child and grew up with could heal others...They showed Him little honor...So only a few were healed when He visited His old home town...Jesus could not do any miracles at all in the hometown where He grew up...He was amazed at their lack of faith...They had little faith in Him...And when one lacks faith in Him, He cannot do much for us...
Jesus would leave His hometown and travel around where people had faith and He could do good works...