Face-Off With The Bullies Of Nazareth

THE BULLIES OF NAZARETH:

(A Case Study on Dealing with Rejection)

Afterward, Jesus left Capernaum and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. Mark 6:1TPT

INTRODUCTION:

During His first preaching mission to Nazareth recorded in the book of Luke Chapter 4, Nazareth was impressed by the beautiful words of grace that came from His lips. However, they were offended by His claim and they said among themselves, “Who does he think he is? Isn’t he joseph’s son, who grew up here in Nazareth. Then they mobbed Jesus and threw him out of the City, dragging him to the edge of the cliff trying to kill him. (Luke 4:22,29 TPT)

But Jesus who is not ready to give up in reaching his fellow Nazarene, gathered his disciples with him to try it one last time. He probably knew he will be rejected like before. But to give them one last chance and also to teach his disciples how to handle rejection, Jesus went again to face the Bullies of Nazareth one more time.

So, ladies and gentlemen! Fasten your seat belt and be ready to walk with Jesus to his face-off with the Bullies of his home town!

I – JESUS THROUGH THE EYES OF NAZARETH HIS HOMETOWN

Mar 6:2 On the Sabbath, he went to teach in the synagogue. Everyone who heard his teaching was overwhelmed with astonishment. They said among themselves, “What incredible wisdom has been given to him! Where did he receive such profound insights? And what mighty miracles flow through his hands!

During their time, there are facts and evidences that are available enough to convince them that Jesus is the Messiah.

A – What are the facts and circumstances that leads to Jesus as the Messiah?

1. The signs and wonders he did in other places.

2. Multitudes followed him including the band of disciples

3. The incredible wisdom evident in his teachings

4. They all concluded that he has profound insight

5. The miracles that flows through his hands

6. But they are still skeptics about Jesus

LESSONS/OBSERVATIONS:

1. The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus not because they were not properly informed or due to lack of evidences. Jesus made it clear to them who He is by words and deeds. But they rejected Him simply because they decided not to believe.

2. In spite of the overwhelming facts they gathered that point to Jesus as the Messiah, the Nazarene refuse to believe Him as the One. Why? Because familiarity breed contempt. They found it impossible to worship the man whom they saw in diaper.

3. Even if the people of Nazareth were not prepared to accept Jesus as the Messiah, they have all the reasons to respect Him at least as a prophet. But because He is one of them, he became common to them. Hence, we call it now as Nazareth Syndrome - Nobody has any faith in the hometown kid

4. After series of successful ministry and the signs and wonders he did in nearby places, Jesus have all the reasons to inspire them or even receive a hero’s welcome at Nazareth.

5. But the people who use to believe that nothing good will come from Nazareth - their hometown, could not appreciate other’s success. They despise Jesus because they despised first their own self.

B - What are the skeptical questions in their minds?

Mar 6:3 Isn’t this Mary’s son, the carpenter, the brother of Jacob, Joseph, Judah, and Simon? And don’t his sisters all live here in Nazareth?” And they took offense at him.

1. They question His educational background (Where did he receive such profound insights?)

2. They question his family background (Mary’s son)

3. They question his work experience (carpenter)

LESSONS/OBSERVATIONS:

6. The people of Nazareth question the educational background of the One who is the source of all knowledge and wisdom. It is like interviewing the undercover Boss as a mere applicant.

7. The people of Nazareth ridicule Jesus for having a poor family background. They cannot appreciate the mystery of a God who became human just to reach them out.

8. They were offended and stumbled when they found a simple and lowly Christ. How can they accept and be proud of a poor and uneducated Savior? But what they thought that God’s foolishness is wiser than men. God required humility to understand and enter the Kingdom of God.

9. Nazareth live together with Jesus for over 30 years. But they saw Jesus as only carpenter who can repair their everyday mess. Even today, people come to Jesus because they need only a carpenter who can fix their mess

II – NAZARETH THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS, THE SAVIOR

A – He did not condemn Nazareth

Mar 6:4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is treated with honor everywhere except in his own hometown, among his relatives, and in his own house.”