Mark 6:1-6: a reflection

1He went out from there. He came into his own country, and his disciples followed him. 2When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? 3Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they were offended at him. 4Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6He marveled because of their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching.

Jesus comes back to his hometown and teaches in the synagogue, and at first the people are astonished at his wisdom and the works done through his hands. But astonishment quickly curdles into offense. Isn't this the carpenter, they say, Mary's son, whose brothers and sisters we know? They cannot get past the ordinary man they thought they knew, and their familiarity blinds them to what stands before them.

Jesus names the sad irony: a prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family. And Mark records something startling: he could do no work of power there, except to heal a few sick people, because of their unbelief. It was not that his power failed, but that their refusal to receive him shut the door. He marveled at their unbelief and moved on to other villages.

Familiarity can be a strange danger. The people who thought they knew Jesus best received the least from him, because they assumed there was nothing more to see. Guard against letting your long acquaintance with Jesus turn into a settled assumption that you already have him figured out. Come to him expectant, as though there is always more of him to know, so that unbelief does not quietly close the door on what he longs to do in you.

Lord Jesus, the people who thought they knew you best received the least, because familiarity had closed their eyes. Guard me from that. Do not let long acquaintance with you harden into an assumption that I have you figured out. Keep me expectant and open, believing there is always more of you to know, so that my unbelief never shuts the door on your work. Amen.