They Took Offense At Him
They Took Offense At Him
There are times when we think we’re using our common sense and high ethical values, but don’t have a clue about how wrong we are. But, we’re so dead-set in our way of thinking, we set up road-blocks in our minds, and from there, we begin to take offense at anyone who dares to contradict our mindset. Such was the case when Jesus entered His home town. In Mark 6:1-6 we read,
And He went out from there, and He came into His home town; and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at Him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his home town and among his own relatives and in his own household.”
And He could do no miracles there except that He laid His hands upon a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief.
Unbelief is a mindset. One determines what they think the facts are, and all of their future thoughts are based on their faulty determination. The people reasoned that Jesus was just a carpenter — that they knew His mother, Mary — and that they were well acquainted with Jesus’ brothers and sisters. They were even able to call Jesus’ family by their names. They knew them well. Isn’t that all the evidence a person needs to reject the preaching of this common carpenter?
None of Jesus’ brothers or sisters, or even His mother, were able to perform miracles or even to preach a decent sermon, so how can Jesus be an authentic preacher and do real miracles? Nobody in Jesus’ family had a priestly heritage or training. It just did not seem reasonable to have to listen to a commoner — a lay person, whose lineage was not that belonging to the authorized religious leaders.
It seemed only right and reasonable to take offense at a mere carpenter’s preaching. So, today, with all the knowledge available about how Jesus is the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies, and with the testimonies of many who witnessed His resurrection, why do people still take “offense at Him”? Unbelief is still a problem.
Only God can help us to see the light and come to a true faith in Christ Jesus, our Savior, so we pray with King David, in Psalm 51:10,
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Looking at all the wonders of God’s workings in His word to us, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, most certainly, Your thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways. Your ways are marvelously best.”
Love,
Margaret
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Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus by the Yupiq Eskimo village of Quinhagak, Alaska
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… Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus …
A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and GOD of gods
Pray for our country
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The LORD made this day, let us rejoice and be glad in Him.
Psalm 118:24
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The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
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Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
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How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
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Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
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O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
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Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
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Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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