Man on a Mission: A 5-Day Journey With Jesus Through Mark 5–7Sample

Jesus Goes Home

After the healing encounters with the little girl and the desperate woman, Jesus’ journey continues. He stays on the Jewish side of the lake for a while, visiting back home in Nazareth. Mark still shows Jesus as the “travel director” of this journey, choosing the itinerary, so the time in Nazareth is just as intentional and purposeful as the other encounters. Right there in Nazareth, in the very place where he grew up and among the people who know him best, Jesus experiences some painful opposition to his mission. He shows three key characteristics of an appropriate response to obstacles and opposition.

First, he stays CALM. After a few days at home, Jesus teaches in his home synagogue. Things seem to be going well, as his friends and neighbors see his miracles and hear his wise teaching. But quickly, their amazement turns to scoffing; they can’t believe that a carpenter’s son would dare to do and say the things Jesus is doing and saying. They interpret his authority as a local boy getting too big for his britches! Mark says they were “deeply offended and refused to believe in him” (v. 3). While I imagine Jesus shaking his head over their stubbornness, he doesn’t yell or even defend himself. He quotes a proverb, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his hometown,” and calmly goes about his missional business.

Second, he doesn’t dismiss the SMALL OPPORTUNITIES. Marks says that because of the unbelief in Nazareth, Jesus cannot do many miracles among them. However, he does “place his hands on a few sick people and heal them” (v. 5). Jesus could have just lumped the whole kit and caboodle of them together and stormed out of town without further ado. Instead, he stays attentive to the tiny pockets of receptivity and faith in Nazareth, responding to them with the same gifts of liberation and restoration that he has been sharing so abundantly with people in other places. Jesus does not need a massive platform or a cheering crowd of followers for his mission; he is willing to bring grace and healing to just a few who are ready to receive them.

Third, he PERSEVERES. Even though Jesus is amazed at the unbelief of his family, friends, and neighbors, he is not deterred by it. In fact, he seems to leave Nazareth with renewed purpose and energy. Not only does he continue teaching and healing in the villages on that side of the lake, but now he sends out his disciples to do the same, multiplying the mission in a new way (vv. 7–13).

In the face of missional opposition and hostility, Jesus stays calm, doesn’t dismiss the small opportunities, and perseveres with his calling. These actions and attitudes result in the advance of the mission, even under challenging circumstances.