Mark 6:1-13, 30-31

In the first six verses of Mark 6, Jesus and His disciples return to His hometown of Nazareth where He begins teaching on the Sabbath (6:1-2a). Those who heard Him teach were “astonished” and said, “Where did this man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” It is evident by the people’s reaction that they did not view Jesus as the Son of God and Mark even records that “they were offended at Him” (6:3). The fact that they were offended carries the idea of repelling or rejecting Jesus’ message. They viewed Jesus as no more than a carpenter’s Son, who did not have an extravagant education or a religious title. Jesus knew that “He could do no mighty work there, except He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them” (6:5). Mark then records that Jesus “marveled because of their unbelief.” Being rejected by your own people is a discouraging thing, but we find Jesus continuing His ministry going “about the villages in a circuit, teaching” (6:6). Jesus had every right to quit; after all, no one in His own town wanted to hear what He said. However, He knew His mission and He was determined to finish the will of His Father, even though He experienced opposition.

Jesus calls His disciples and sends them out “two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits” (6:7). He commanded the disciples to only take what they needed for the journey and provided instructions for their ministry in each town (6:8-11). “So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them” (6:12-13). Eventually the disciples returned and “told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught” (6:30). Jesus then told them to take some time to rest (6:31).

There are many obstacles we face in everyday life and some of them cause thoughts of quitting to come into our minds. In the passage we examined today, Jesus was our example of someone who continued His ministry, even when it was not popular. He was confident of what His Father wanted Him to do, so He willingly carried it out in the face of opposition. That same determination should characterize our lives as we surrender ourselves to accomplish the will of God. One of Jesus’ final commands to His disciples after His resurrection was that they were to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:18-20). We have been give this same commission and even in the face of opposition we should be determined to continue in God’s will.

Dear God, may I not allow opposition to stop me from doing Your will.