A snapshot of Jesus returning home!
Imagine the excitement as Jesus comes home from amazing ministry, blind eyes opened, lame walking, people receiving Him and His message (Mark 5), and then He traveled to hometown – where everyone knew His family and watched Him grow up.
People passing through town were probably saying, “Hey, I just saw some great miracles not more than 20 miles from here and suddenly, this man is here in Nazareth!”
And “When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. ‘Where did this man get these things?’ they asked. ‘What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing?’” (Mark 6:1-2 NIV).
Then everything changed in verse three when Jesus is recognized as a hometown boy. “’Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at him” (Mark 6:3 NIV).
Jesus had four brothers. The Bible doesn’t mention the names of His sisters, but it’s plural, so we know He had at least two. So, we know Jesus had at least six siblings on earth.
Imagine a practical look at what it must have been like in the home of Mary and Joseph. Jesus, the firstborn, the Son of God was a miraculous birth, and then the earthly half brothers and sisters came along. And somewhere along the way, there was a discussion that Jesus, their older brother, is actually God, here to redeem us.
Think about your relationship with your siblings. What if your mom or dad told you your eldest brother is God?
It’s not recorded how that was handled, but it certainly had to be a realistic dynamic in that family.
Sometimes it can be hard to go home.
You love your brothers and sisters. Maybe God has done a marvelous work in your life. You go back home, and you share with them what God is doing in your life, but they become offended at you. You’re not alone.
Jesus’ family, friends and community are offended by Him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home” (Mark 6:4 NIV).
You probably feel that way many times. Maybe as a follower of Christ if you have a family where you have difficult relationships with siblings, parents and extended family.
Then it goes on to say, “And 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” (Mark 6:5-6 ESV).
Jesus left there oppressed in a sense that He did not do the great miracles He wanted to do in His hometown. Maybe you feel spiritual oppression when you go home. Jesus loved them, but He left. Jesus taught the truth and then He left.
Check out Sharing Christ with Your Family Can Be Tough and find 3 Keys to Sharing Your Faith with Loved Ones.
