Jesus returned to His hometown in Nazareth in Chapter six of the book of Mark. Jesus was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth because Joseph and Mary were from Nazareth. Bethlehem is about 5,700 miles from Nazareth, which is about six days journey with a donkey. Before Jesus started His earthly ministry at thirty years old, He was a carpenter. He became a carpenter because Joseph was a carpenter. Before Jesus started His ministry, He lived a normal life. Upon arrival in Nazareth, He went to synagogue because it was a Sabbath and began to teach. After the people heard Him teach, many were surprised by His teaching and the miracles He performed. Many people asked themselves, "Where did He get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?" Then they said, "He's just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us." Because the people knew who He was growing up, they refused to believe in Jesus. As a result, Jesus could only perform a few miracles because only a few believed in Him. (Mark 6:1-6).
It was sad that the people in His hometown knew Jesus, but they were far away from believing in Him. Many people knew many things about Him but refused to believe in Him. It is similar today. Many people hear of Jesus but still decide not to believe in Him. As a result, Jesus cannot do wonderful works in their lives. Many people seek peace, forgiveness, and acceptance from God, but they refuse to believe in Jesus, who can give them what they are looking for. Instead, they are looking for answers from this world, which this world can only lead them to emptiness.
We need to be thankful that we believe in Jesus. We have the answers to life. So let us not shy away from what we believe. We need to stand for what we believe because we have the truth of God. People need to continue to hear about Jesus because He is the only one who can save them from their sins.
Ask yourself these questions: Why do people need to believe in Jesus? Am I willing to share Jesus with others? How should I live my life knowing the truth of God?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for opening my eyes to believe in your truth. Please help me not to shy away from my faith, but give me the courage to share who you are with others so that they may believe in you. Only by believing in Jesus can people be saved from their sins. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.