Rejection

Prelude

A rule of polite society is don’t discuss religion. Jesus ignored that rule and was rejected in His hometown. Purpose: Rejection is a true Christian experience. Plan: Let’s look at facing rejection in Mark 6:1-13.

Rejection (Mark 6:1-6)

Mark 6:1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country [fatherland], and His disciples followed Him.

This was His “hometown” (NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB).

Mark 6:2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him [this man], that such mighty works [miracles] are performed by His hands!

This was possibly His childhood synagogue. As the incarnate Word of God, Jesus had divine wisdom and performed remarkable miracles. The word “this man” (t??t?) is repeated twice in Greek, revealing a tone of contempt. “Where did this man get these things?” If Jesus was rejected, what ought we expect?

Mark 6:3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.

Do prejudices prevent people from hearing the Gospel? Do people dishonor us because they don’t honor God? When we honor each other, it’s not because we are perfect, but because we honor God.

Mark 6:4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”

When people lack faith in God in us, do we just give up? The world seeks to belittle others. Let’s be among the few who believe that Jesus uses ordinary people!

Mark 6:5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.

What a shame to miss out by rejecting anyone through whom God is working. Yet, a few will have the faith to see God in us.

Mark 6:6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

Are we scandalized or embarrassed by Jesus? Is such rejection new?

Many Left Jesus (John 6)

On another occasion, ‘The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” … From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ’ (John 6:41-69)

Further Scriptures on Rejection

Let’s look at a few biblical passages that describe rejection.

And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7)

He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. (Isaiah 53:3)

Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. (Mark 12:10)

“The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” (Luke 9:22)

He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” (Luke 10:16)

But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. (Luke 17:25)

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)

“This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. (Acts 7:35)

Mission (Mark 6:7-13)

Did Jesus continue to preach or did He just decide to give up because of rejection? Do we give up and just keep silent, knowing that we too will be rejected?

Mark 6:7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send [apostled] them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

Why two by two? In the Old Testament, witnesses were to be at least two. This sending is ongoing. Going head on with the demonic is ongoing.