No Excuses

Who's ever returned to their hometown after a big success - big job title; success on American Idol; a star out on the ball field; academic honors; all kids graduated with Ph.Ds - and faced initial acclaim and curiosity?  And then received the cynicism of jealousy or the rumors of competition or the hurt of those left behind?  Andy Griffith, who just died this week, returned to Mt Airy, North Carolina (his hometown) after the success of the movie, "No Time for Sergeants."  At the parade in his honor there were few lining the sidewalks and little acknowledgement of hometown-boy-made-good.
This is what happens to Jesus in Mark 6: 1-6a when he returns to his hometown of Nazareth where his miracle healings and deeds of power preceded him.  So there was probably a big crowd in the synagogue when he rose to speak.  But whatever he said turned the worshipers against him.  Referring to himself as prophet suggests to me that he was speaking truth to power - something that gets most people in trouble.  However he challenged the congregation, they would not listen.  Jesus responds with wisdom:  "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kind, and in their own house." (Mk 6: 4)  Amazed at their unbelief, Jesus could do no deed of power.  So he shook the dust off his sandals and went onto other villages to teach.
In vivid contrast, Jesus then calls the twelve disciples and sends them out, two by two, to heal.  With instructions to travel lightly and with authority from Jesus, the disciples cast out demons and healed the sick (Mark 6: 6-13).  Jesus shares his wisdom and experience that they should shake the dust off their feet if they are unwelcomed and unheard.  Having quite the opposite experience from Jesus in Nazareth, they are successful!
This turn of events - side by side stories of failure and success - is unexpected.  Where do we turn for understanding?  To God, of course.  God can't be heard in those with hardened hearts and closed ears.  Some explain it as "familiarity breeds contempt."  To plunge a bit deeper I also think such familiarity may be Christians who think they have Jesus all figured out.  When Jesus' words run contrary to how we think about him, we hide our eyes and turn our backs.
Remember how Mark continuously portrays the disciples (go back to last week:  Mark 5: 21-43) as clueless and slow to understand.  The ONLY way they might claim the authority to cast out demons or heal the sick is for God to work through them.  In 2 Corinthians 12: 2-10, Paul reminds us of the power of God:  "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12: 9)  Like the disciples we might think of ourselves as clueless or unworthy or too busy.  But like the disciples, we must first trust and take risks of faith.  No excuses if we want God to work through us!