Mark 6:1-6
6: He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 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? 3 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 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief.And he went about among the villages teaching.
Reflection
Jesus was not well received by the people who lived in his hometown of Nazareth. Sadly, this was not the only time that God’s ways and his prophets have been rejected (Mark 12:1–5; Neh. 9:16–19, 26–30, 34; Acts 7). In some ways, the rejection of God’s purposes continues to this day as the followers of Christ suffer for their faith (Mark 8:34; 10:39; Acts 4:3, 21; 5:17–18; 7:58; 12:1–5; 21:11, 30–33; 24:1–9; 26:6).
Just as Jesus was opposed by demonic darkness and human enemies, his followers will also be opposed by these same forces. In times of suffering and opposition, we must remember that Jesus himself suffered rejection (cf. Mark 10:30; 13:9, 13). We who follow a crucified Savior should not be surprised by the challenges that we face as we seek to be faithful to him. In those difficult times it is important to know that he is with us (Matt. 28:20) and will strengthen us to endure faithfully (Isa. 41:10).
2 Corinthians 3:1-6
3: Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Reflection
Paul does not need a letter of recommendation in order to prove that he is called by God to be an apostle (2 Cor. 3:1). The changed lives of the Corinthians are proof that Paul’s ministry is from God (vv. 2–3). From God’s perspective, the internal effects of the gospel upon the heart are more important that our external credentials.
Many people believe that change happens from the outside in: change your behavior, and you will experience the grace of God. In contrast, the good news causes that transformation to happen from the inside out. We cannot earn God’s favor on the basis of outward performance. Rather, we must rest on the performance of Jesus and prayerfully trust the Holy Spirit to give us the heart-change that leads to genuine, visible change.
Psalm 112:7-8
7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
Though we may suffer for our faith, the enemies of Christ will not have the last word. Consider the promise of our triumph and pray for a life that is driven by the hope of what is to come.