A Prophet Without Honor Series

A Prophet with no Honor

Mark 6:1-13

Introduction

- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”

-- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

- This is probably one of those most straight forward messages in Mark

-- It says what it says, and it means what it means … its teaching history for us

- Read Mark 6:1-13

∆ Point 1 – Prophet with no Honor (1-6)

- As we know, Nazareth is where Jesus is from and prob spent most of life there

-- During his travels, he now has opportunity to go back home

-- Because He is with the disciples, He now comes as teacher (rabbi)

-- His arrival is one of “bringing new info”, not “coming home to see family”

- What we see in v3 is the real response that most people have to Jesus

-- They took offense to his teaching, calling Him out for His “inadequacy”

-- Unlearned, a carpenter’s son, the kid we knew from down the road …

-- What this brings out in people is an opportunity to mock Jesus

- The mocking is because he is merely a tradesman, a carpenter or wood-worker

-- He was not a scholar, not an educated man

-- Probably built a table/chair set for some of them and they knew it

- APP: Sometimes, knowing how people grew up causes us to judge them

-- What we miss is the opportunity to see what God can do in people

-- We cast judgment because we “know them”, and totally miss God

-- This happens more than you can imagine, I am certain of it …

- They called Jesus “Mary’s son”, which prob. means Joseph has died by now

-- They are also taking a pot shot at Him abandoning His family’s needs

-- As the oldest, Jesus would’ve inherited the business; been responsible for Mary

- In v4, He reminds the disciples of a well-known proverb of the day

-- He is not going to get any respect here, no matter what He does

- Jesus has presented them with many reasons to believe who He is

-- But, they choose to resent Him and call Him out as someone incapable of this

-- Perhaps they even took a shot at His being “illegitimate” by birth

-- APP: When mockery comes, what Jesus shows us is to move on from it

- Jesus’ miracles and acts pointed to Who He is … Not His skillset of the day

-- This is what people missed; this is what they refused to see

-- Therefore, even doing a few miracles wouldn’t change their heart condition

- The word used in v6 for amazed is “thaumazo”

-- Jesus contemplates their hearts, and wonders about their faith in God

-- APP: It is almost distressing to see this kind of unbelief

- TRANS: Therefore, He does what any of us could/should do … moves on!

-- This is NOT, however, a chance for us to just turn on and desert people

-- Jesus’ teaching here that there is more who need to hear, through our witness

∆ Point 2 – Sending out Teams (7-13)

- In Mark 3:14, we see the reason apostles were called: “He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.”

-- These men are called to deliver the Gospel; to preach what they know

-- APP: It’s the same thing we are called to through the Great Commission

- The Law demands two witnesses in order to have a valid testimony (v7)

-- Deut 17:6, “On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.”

-- Jesus gave the disciples authority over spirits and sends them to go and teach

- This is Apostolic Power given directly to these 12 men

-- They were called for this mission, and therefore are given power to accomplish it

- What is important here is to note how Jesus sends them out

-- He is not ambiguous, His instructions are not vague or without meaning (v8)

-- APP: We are given the same … go and make disciples

- Note that Jesus even tells them what to wear (re-examine v8)

-- APP: Why? So they would know their dependence was on God to provide!

- Then (v10), when they found a home that gave favor stay there

-- This teaches them to be grateful and not look for a “better deal”

-- APP: This applies to us as well. How? Bloom where you’re planted!