Jesus The Prophet

Mark 6:1-6
By Harold Dinsmore, M.Div.
© 2007 Harold Dinsmore

“Prophets have never been very popular people.  They have been beaten, stoned, thrown into prison, fed to the lions, burned alive and sawn asunder.  Turned out of their homes, they have made their homes in caves, in mountains and in deserts.  Why are prophets so unpopular?  I think that it is because they expose sin.  We do not like to have our sins exposed.  We do not like it when a pastor ‘leaves preaching and moves to meddling.’”1

In our text this morning we find Jesus identifying himself as the prophet.  Let’s read together. “Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 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, that he even does miracles! 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.  Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.  Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.”