Mark 6  v-1-13

There is no place on earth which had the privilege of Nazareth. Fr the first thirty years of His life, the Son of God lived in this town and walked the streets. He walked with God before its people, living a blameless and private life, and it was all lost on them. They were not to believe the Gospel when the Lord came among them, and taught in the Synagogue. They knew His face so well,  he had for so long been eating ad drinking living among them

There should not be anything surprising that every day the same kind of things happen in our own land. The Holy Scriptures, the preaching of the Gospel, public services in our Churches, abundance of grace, the country enjoys, but are not valued as they should be. People are so accustomed to them, they do not recognize their importance. It is an awful truth to expect to have Churches, especially in villages, to perpetuate the traditional English scene. The Churches are not attended by the vast majority of the population, yet they want, a service to be held for them to enable photographs to adorn the ceremony.

I find such hypocrisy, when two people want to get married in Churches, particularly with old stained glass windows, yet which the never attend. They can get married almost anywhere now, but want the Church for some personal reason.

 There is comfort on this part of the Lord’s experience, for some of His people who are cast down, by the unbelief of the people in the parish, or regular hearers.

There is comfort for true Christians who stand alone in their families, and see all around the unconcerned. Let us remember, they are both drinking the same cup as the Lord.  He too, was despised by those  who knew Him best.         It cannot be dishonorable to be in the same position as the Son of God.

We see how sinful it is to be an unbeliever; there are two examples in this passage   One is that Jesus could not do mighty works at Nazareth because the attitudes of the  hardened hearted people. The other is that He marveled at their unbelief.

This shows that unbelief has a power to rob those of the highest blessings. It shows also that Jesus  regarded it with surprise.

We should always remember that it all began in the garden of Eden, when Eve and Adam bot disregarded and disobeyed God. Instead of taking notice of God’s warning, it brought sin into the world.   We have to watch our hearts clearly. For it is the heart and not the mind that is the source of power.  There has to be a will to decide.

The second part of this passage in v 7-13, tells of the Apostles being sent out to preach.  Jesus made proof of His Ministers before he left them alone the world. He taught them to try their own power of teaching, to find any weakness while He was with them. He was enabled to point out any mistakes. Further, they were trained for the work they had to do when He finally left them to themselves.  How well it would be for the Church, if all Ministers of the Gospel did not be unprepared.

Jesus sent His Apostles out, two by two. Mark is the only evangelist tells this. There can be no doubt, that this is meant to teach us the advantages of company within the Church.

There was good reason, for going out in two rather than one alone. They are able to help each other in judgement, and commit fewer mistakes. There are religions who still send out two people, but the main denominations generally do not.

Jesus had solemn words for those who would not listen to His Ministers. He stated it shall be worse for them on judgement day, than for Sodom and Gomorrah.

The truth found in the Gospel is overlooked by many.   

Thousands seem to think that if they go to Church, do not steal or do evil, they are not in danger. They forget it means more to save a soul. They cannot see, that  real sin can be committed in the sight of God, in that the Gospel is heard and not believed.  In short, to reject the Gospel, will sink a person to the lowest level a person can go. This tells us that lay and ordained people are bound for a different journey one day that they never thought. 

It is astounding, when one considers the Church is being led astray. We should ask ourselves, what are we doing with the Gospel. We all can have access to a Bible, we hear of salvation and do not believe. Do we believe in the Virgin Birth doctrine and the physical resurrection of Christ; have we taken up the Cross and followed Jesus; if not believed the Gospel, which are the very Word of God; do we still  think of heaven as our future eternal home?

We read in this passage, the doctrine which the Apostles took out. They preached all should repent, which might appear simple, yet challenged. The fulness of the Gospel doctrine is  suitable to every person, every age, every kind of mankind. It is inseparably connected with the views of God, of human nature, of sin, of Christ. Of holiness, of heaven.` All need to be brought to a sense of sin for all have fallen short of the glory of God.

It is well to now what the Apostles taught. It is well to be familiar with the whole system of Christian doctrine. May we never  rest till we know, we have repented and sought to please God. There are no impenitent people in heaven. All who enter therein, have forsaken and sought pardon. This must be our experience if we are to be saved.

 

May God bless His Word. And may His Holy Name be Praised.