Mark 6:1-6

You can never go back
Mark 6:1-6

When reading the first six verses of Mark 6, I am reminded of the phrase “you can never go back” when referring to where you grew up, and in associations with your family.  Not that you shouldn’t visit your hometown or your family, you should, but it won’t be as it was.  Your life’s journey apart from your hometown and your family has changed and matured you, yet your hometown and your family can only remember you as you last were, or heaven forbid, as you were in your youth!  This is what Jesus was experiencing in verses 1-6.  Jesus grew up in Nazareth with his family.  Now he was back.

In his adult life, Jesus moved to Capernaum.  While in Capernaum, he began his ministry and became recognized as the Son of God.  Now Jesus was back in the town of his youth and with his siblings for the first time since starting his ministry.

I’m sure Jesus was a good little boy when he was young, and that the townsfolk of Nazareth remembered him fondly, as did his family, but they remember him as a child.  To come back to his hometown and preach with the authority of God, as the Son of God, was too much for everyone to handle.  Jesus’ statement in verse four pretty much sums up his experience:  “A prophet is not without honor except in his home town and among his own relatives and in his own household.”  I’m sure that the town and his family were a little upset that this “kid” was now telling them how they should live.  And where did he get off healing people and forgiving sins?  He never did any of that when he was a boy.  How dare he!  Jesus was somehow being disrespectful to his elders… wasn’t he?  They could not accept what they were seeing and hearing.

Jesus knew something we should know when witnessing to family and old friends – it’s an uphill battle.  They know us too well, and remember our past — a past that probably no longer represents who we now are.  Not that it’s impossible mind you, but it’s not easy.  Even Jesus’ half brothers did not believe that He was the Son of God while he was alive, but at least two brothers believed when they saw him after his crucifixion — they wrote the books of James and Jude in the New Testament.  Extra prayer will be required when witnessing to family and friends, but it is certainly worth the effort.  These are, after all, the people we most want to be with in heaven next to God.

(And boy, do I feel weird knowing that some on this site knew me in my youth [like my parents]!  Just know that I love you and I pray daily for you.  You are worth the extra effort.)