When Jesus Was Rejected

 In this passage, we learn a great lesson in how people treated him in his own hometown. 

Mark 6:1-6 NIV

[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.  Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 

In their dialogue, we can feel their rejection of him. They knew who his family was, knew where he came from, knew he used to be a carpenter. They locked him in the season they knew him in. So even with his profound teaching and miracles, they did not believe he could be anyone other than who they knew him to be. 

Jesus knows how it feels to be rejected by your community or relatives.

The lesson? Human nature is much the same way today. People you know will try to lock you into a season of your past or they will say something about you that tries to tear you down or discredit who you are in Christ now.

People will remember who you were the last time they saw you and try to stick you in that mold, like you haven't changed or can change. 

If it's been awhile, they won't know how God has been changing you. They'll focus on how they remember you and ignore who is standing in front of them now.

They can say all kinds of things to try to tear you down like, "You'll always be that way." "You'll never change." 

You do not have to PROVE who you are to anybody. If they reject you or try to tear you down with their words, remember Jesus. He was rejected too.

Treat them the same way God treats you, with grace, love, and mercy. Jesus said, "Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you." Just love them anyway and forgive. Do not hold it against them if they reject you or try to tear you down. 

Do not let them influence your life or who you are. Get their words out of your mind quickly. Do not give Satan a chance to use their words to build a stronghold in your spirit.

We are children of God and noone can change that. We are the "righteousness of God in Christ Jesus." We are "holy, unblameable, and unreproveable in His sight." God is "for us and not against us." Our "citzenship is in heaven." We are "seated in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."

Even with fellow Christians, be aware that rejection can come from them too for various reasons. No one is exempt. 

Do not dwell on their words or actions that are against you. Forget it. Give everyone the same kind of grace, love, and mercy that God has given us. Forgive easily. Do not hold a grudge. Do not seek revenge. Diffuse and do not escalate. Love them as Jesus loves us.

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Love you all,

Jeffrey Post