No Matter What You Do

Tracey Bowen
Mark 6:1-13
1Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2When 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, that he even does miracles! 3Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
4Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” 5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.
8These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.9Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.”
12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them
Rejection can hurt. It especially hurts when it comes from those who should know and believe in you the most. The hardest part about rejection is that you have no control over it. Bottom line, you cannot make anyone love you. It’s not even wise to try. Jesus didn’t.

In today’s passage we have Jesus in his hometown where he was known since his childhood. They marvel at his wisdom and even go as far as to ask how he became so wise. Yet even though they marvel they are still commenting “Ain’t that Mary’s boy? You know the one from Nazareth…ain’t nothing good ever come outta that place!” Even though they saw his wisdom and the anointing on his life, they would not believe.

The only response noted by Jesus is that he performed a few miracles and then left. No long discourse about “Do you know who I am?” No showy miracles to try and gain the approval of the people. He did what he could for the people who believed and for the others he simply left them to their own opinions. And it was their loss. The passage specifically states that he did not do more because of their unbelief.

The Spirit of the Lord once whispered to me that rejection at higher levels is protection. For one reason or another it is for our own good that everyone does not embrace us ─ no matter what we do. It’s as simple as that. From Jesus’ example we can learn how to deal with rejection when it comes. You do what you can for those who will receive you and for the others, keep moving forward. For everyone that will hold your past against you, there are new people on the way that will see the glory of the Lord living and active in your life and receive you.

Tracey Bowen
Bethel Apostolic Temple
Miami, Florida