Two by Two

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13

Watch the sermon on YouTube (apologies for the sound issue)

Who is this Jesus? That is the question that Mark continues to raise throughout the gospel this summer. We’ve seen it the last few weeks haven’t we? When Jesus stills the storm on the Sea of Galilee, those in the boat with him wonder, “who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?” When he brings Jairus’s daughter from death to life, those who witness it are “overcome with amazement”.  In our story today it is not those who are encountering Jesus for the first time but those who have known him for years who are asking the same question about Jesus’ identity. And it isn’t a great response. Is it? 

Let’s back it up a bit. Jesus has been out and about—performing great miracles both on the shore and on the sea and he returns back home! And then he goes to where any good Jewish teacher would go—the Temple. I’m guessing that most of the people are not expecting little Jesus who grew up around the corner or “Jesus the carpenter”—in the role of a wise prophet of God.  His teachings astound them but they obviously strike a nerve when we hear “And they took offense at him.”  As they try to figure out what is going on in front of them—they come to the conclusion that this is still the same ‘ol Jesus they’ve always known—one of us—not any kind of miracle worker! 

But why not? Why not believe that he could be a miracle worker? Why such snarky-negative-jealous responses? Which then turns Jesus’s response not so nice either.  Could it be that this is a reminder of how HUMAN they all are? 

Think about it. How might we have reacted? How open would we be to someone being so very different than we knew? What would we think about a neighbor whom we believed to be just an ordinary hardworking man turning into a miraculous teacher? Let alone the Son of God? I would have to guess that we all would have our fair share of skepticism. We tend to see what we expect to see. The people of Nazareth expect to see the Jesus they have always known-the one who seems no different from them.  When Jesus preaches with wisdom and preforms deeds of power, the people of Nazareth cannot see beyond their own limited view of him. They are stuck. 

Perhaps one of the questions that God is laying on our hearts today is: Whom do we take for granted? What wisdom, what deeds of power are we missing because we make judgments about how and through whom God’s work can be done?

We hear that Jesus is rendered powerless---powerless by those who doubt his calling—about those who are unwilling to believe the great things God can do.  I’m guessing in most of our lives there have been missed opportunities and lost blessings because of our limited faith. Times when we just couldn’t see what was right in front of us. 

And because the people in Jesus’s hometown could not see what was right in front of them, he was rejected. And this rejection sets into motion the mission of the 12 and even their potential rejection. Basically Jesus is saying- If it can happen to me then it can happen to you!  He tells them “If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them”. We definitely can’t’ help but be reminded of Jesus’ experience in Nazareth.  Jesus keeps on going and the disciples are told to persist in their work in in Jesus’ name. 

We will never be able to control someone’s receptiveness or their reactions to our work in Jesus’ name but we are responsible for our own faithfulness. And if we can hold tight to that then we can go about our ministry boldly and faithfully. 

Jesus did not stop being himself when the people close to him rejected him. He did not stop his ministry. Instead, he moved forward to another town where he would be accepted. He continued to do his work, sending his disciples to the world. He even gave instructions to his disciples: Shake off the dust before you leave. This is the message for all of us. If people reject our acts of love for our neighbors, let us shake off the dust of disappointments on our feet: their rejection of our actions is the testimony against them. Let us not retreat to our little corners, but move forward to places where our actions and messages will be accepted. Like Jesus and his disciples, rejection should drive us to continue ministering to the world and to show God’s love to all.

The disciples’ journey wasn't always smooth sailing. They, in fact, faced rejection, ridicule, and even violence. Yet, they persevered.  Because they were in it together. Because they were in it together. The call to persevere in ministry extends to us as well.  Following Christ won’t always be easy. There will be times when sharing our faith feels daunting or the challenges seem overwhelming. But just like the disciples, we are not meant to walk this path alone. We do this together.

How can we live out this message today?

Find your person/people/small group: Seek out a fellow sibling in Christ who can be your confidant and encourager. To cheer one another on and to pray for one another.  

Share the load: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. We can all learn from and support one another. You have a whole church of people with amazing gifts and graces.

Celebrate victories: Take time to acknowledge the positive impact we are having, big or small.

Remember: We are part of a larger community, the body of Christ.  Together, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can persevere in sharing the message of hope and love.

Let us go forth, “two by two” in spirit, supporting and encouraging each other, as we continue the mission Jesus entrusted to us all. Amen.