David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 6:1-13

He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ² And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? ³ Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 

I remember the day that the local major league baseball team signed a player for more than $100M! When he first arrived in the club house everyone thought he would bring just the right touch to the team. He even won Player of the Year that year when his team – the Texas Rangers – came in last place in their division. He was that good. But he couldn’t lift the team out of the basement. The amazing thing is that when Alex Rodriguez left the Rangers and went to New York the Texas Rangers actually did better without him!

Contrast that to Jesus! He comes on the scene and everyone wonders where he came from, what’s so special about him and whether he is worth more than a second look. They thought that they knew who he was. They thought they knew his lineage. They thought he was a nobody. He was a carpenter whose dad isn’t even mentioned. They took offense at him.

There are two important lessons for us today. First and foremost is the reality that Jesus is the Son of God. And though he has taken on human flesh, and even laid aside his divine prerogatives, his relationship with his Father is so pure and perfect that he is able to still storms at sea, feed multitudes in the wilderness, and raise the dead. The power of God is perfectly mediated through him. Flawlessly so. No one is able to do it like Jesus.

Secondly, and for us today with great import, is the reality that God works through people who are often set aside from fame and glory. If God is at work in someone, it matters little how she looks or how he talks. If God is at work, the vessel through which he works is not as important as his power and grace that comes through him or her.

As we embrace our identity as sons and daughters of God, and as we follow Jesus and seek his kingdom, we will discover just how much God can do. When we forgive our coworker from our heart, or pray in faith for a friend, or serve a neighbor with true humility, God’s power shines through us. Those who mistakenly write us off will lose in the end. That’s sad. But sadder still is when God’s people refuse to be vessels of God’s grace and truth in others’ lives. One who does the work of God – or through whom God does his work to be more precise – is the real MVP.

Mark 6:1-13

He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ² And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? ³ Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. ⁴ And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” ⁵ And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶ And he marveled because of their unbelief.

And he went about among the villages teaching.

⁷ And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. ⁸ He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— ⁹ but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. ¹⁰ And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. ¹¹ And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” ¹² So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. ¹³ And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.