Mark 6:1-6a

“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.” vs. 3

Mark, the earliest gospel, tells us that Jesus was a carpenter from Nazareth who traveled from Galilee to the Jordan River where he was baptized by John. After his baptism, in which he received affirmation as the beloved Son of God, he returned to the village of Capernaum in Galilee to begin his ministry. It was there by the Sea of Galilee that he called his first disciple and people began to notice him. In the meantime, his family in Nazareth, having heard stories of what he was doing, began to be alarmed and went down to Capernaum to see him. While Jesus ignored them when they came, he did decide to visit Nazareth with his disciples, and while there was invited to teach in the synagogue. But because the people were familiar with him, they took offense at his message, even though it had astounded them. Jesus laments their reaction but is unable to convince them to change their minds. The reaction is not surprising. It’s still hard to receive a prophetic word from those we know well. That’s one of the reasons communication breaks down in a marriage. That’s why teenagers find it hard to receive a word of wisdom from parents. And that’s sad! Because those who know us well are often in the best position to offer a word from the Lord!

Thought for the Day: When has my family been critical of me?