PERPLEXED BUT NOT PARALYZED
Gospel of Mark #17
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
(Mark 6:1–6a, NLT) “Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.”
1. FOLLOWING JESUS IS ALWAYS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
(Verse 1) “Jesus … returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown.”
2. ASK GOOD QUESTIONS BUT ASK THE IMPORTANT
(Verse 2) “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?”
“In spite of what they heard and saw they [the people of his hometown] failed to penetrate the veil of ordinariness which characterized this one who had grown up in the village.” –William Lane, Mark
3. FAITH HAS TROUBLE BELIEVING GOD. UNBELIEF REFUSES TO BELIEVE GOD.
“What is beyond dispute is that in the ministry of two or three years, Jesus of Nazareth attracted and infuriated his contemporaries, mesmerized and alienated the ancient world, unleashed a movement that has done the same ever since, and thus changed the course of history forever.” –J. P. Meier
(Verse 3a) “They scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended…”
4. UNBELIEF HINDERS A COMMUNITY FROM GOD’S BLESSINGS.
(Verses 3b, 5a) “They … refused to believe, in Him. … And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them…”
5. GOD WILL ALWAYS BLESS THE HUMBLE.
(Verse 5b) “… except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.”
Maker of the sun,
He is made under the sun.
In the Father he remains,
From his mother he goes forth.
Creator of heaven and earth,
He was born on earth under heaven.
Unspeakably wise,
He is wisely speechless.
Filling the world,
He lies in a manger.
Ruler of the stars,
He nurses at his mother’s bosom.
He is both great in the nature of God,
and small in the form of a servant.
-Augustine on the Incarnation
6. I MAY BE PERPLEXED BUT NEVER PARALYZED IF I COME TO CHRIST.
(Verse 6) “And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.”
- Take big risks for the gospel.
- Read the signs.
- Get out of there.
- Keep your dream alive.