Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 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, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 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. 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.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. (Mark 6:1-6 NKJV)

I can just hear the disdain dripping from their voices, can’t you? Who does He think He is, teaching us? What does He know about anything? Isn’t He the son of an adulteress? (Just a note: I’m not saying that Mary was an adulteress, but that is likely how she was thought of in her day.)

These were Jesus’ own people, the people He grew up with, the people who knew (or thought they knew) His family’s past, these were His childhood neighbors and friends and they rejected Him. Their behavior is sad, but it didn’t stop Him from His mission. He continued teaching.

Maybe you can relate to this. Maybe you, though unlike Jesus, have an actual soiled past. Maybe those closest to you know your history. Maybe they don’t think you are qualified to be teaching or speaking about “religion” or the Bible or God. And maybe they are right, but here is the thing: it doesn’t matter unless you let it matter.

Jesus was and is absolutely perfect. He had absolute authority to be teaching and preaching but He was still rejected.  Even in His perfection, Jesus still had doubters, so we, being far from perfect, can expect to be doubted as well.

Sure He marveled at the unbelief of His own people but He didn’t let it stop him.  He kept on with His mission and we should too.

2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind” (NKJV).  Do not fear what others may or may not think of you or of your testimony.  Speak because you have been given a spirit of power to speak.  Speak because you love those that are listening.  Speak with a sound mind knowing you have been create and called for a purpose which was given to you by Christ (2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV).

There will be doubters and there will be rejection, but we must not live to please the people of this world. Instead lets live to please the Creator of this world.

Lord, I thank You for the spirit of power and love and sound mind that You have given me.  Please do not let me be overcome by fear of what others might think of me.  I want to live to serve and please you and no one else.  In Your name I pray.  Amen.

I hope my thoughts help you understand how this scripture can be applied to our modern lives, but don’t just take my word for it.  Dive into The Bible yourself, pray, and ask the Lord to reveal His truth to you.

Have a question or a thought?  Please feel free to leave a comment.