A rule of polite society is don’t discuss religion. Jesus ignored that rule and was rejected in His hometown. Purpose: Rejection is a true Christian experience. Plan: Let’s look at facing rejection in Mark 6:1-13.
Rejection (Mark 6:1-6)
Mark 6:1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country [fatherland], and His disciples followed Him.
This was His “hometown” (NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB).
Mark 6:2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him [this man], that such mighty works [miracles] are performed by His hands!
This was possibly His childhood synagogue. As the incarnate Word of God, Jesus had divine wisdom and performed remarkable miracles. The word “this man” (τούτῳ) is repeated twice in Greek, revealing a tone of contempt. “Where did this man get these things?” If Jesus was rejected, what ought we expect?
Mark 6:3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
Do prejudices prevent people from hearing the Gospel? Do people dishonor us because they don’t honor God? When we honor each other, it’s not because we are perfect, but because we honor God.
Mark 6:4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”
When people lack faith in God in us, do we just give up? The world seeks to belittle others. Let’s be among the few who believe that Jesus uses ordinary people!
Mark 6:5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.
What a shame to miss out by rejecting anyone through whom God is working. Yet, a few will have the faith to see God in us.
Mark 6:6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
Are we scandalized or embarrassed by Jesus? Is such rejection new?
Many Left Jesus (John 6)
On another occasion, ‘The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” … From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ’ (John 6:41-69)
Further Scriptures on Rejection
Let’s look at a few biblical passages that describe rejection.
And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7)
He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. (Isaiah 53:3)
Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. (Mark 12:10)
“The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” (Luke 9:22)
He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” (Luke 10:16)
But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. (Luke 17:25)
He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)
“This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. (Acts 7:35)
Mission (Mark 6:7-13)
Did Jesus continue to preach or did He just decide to give up because of rejection? Do we give up and just keep silent, knowing that we too will be rejected?
Mark 6:7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send [apostled] them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
Why two by two? In the Old Testament, witnesses were to be at least two. This sending is ongoing. Going head on with the demonic is ongoing.
Mark 6:8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—
Mark 6:9 but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
Mark 6:10 Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.
Mark 6:11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
This has precedent, “Then I shook out the fold of my garment and said, ‘So may God shake out each man from his house, and from his property, who does not perform this promise. Even thus may he be shaken out and emptied.’ ” (Nehemiah 5:13) How ought we to face rejection? Shake it off. A “no” means don’t waste time, move on, don’t be shamed by rejection. There is no better message than the Gospel. Those who refuse Christ’s messengers face a judgment worse than that of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Mark 6:12 So they went out and preached that people should repent.
Jesus also preached repentance (Mark 1:15), an offensive message that few want to preach or listen to, like ancient Israel. God spoke to Isaiah, That this is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the Lord; Who say to the seers, “Do not see,” And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. (Isaiah 30:9-10) What can happen when people listen to God’s messengers?
Mark 6:13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with [olive] oil many who were sick, and healed them.
Anointing the sick is a normal practice in the church (James 5:14). When we accept Jesus, then He sends us on mission, to preach repentance. Those who accept our message are blessed and those who reject us and our message are cursed.
Expect Rejection (Romans 1)
Many people “suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” (Romans 1:18) Is there no proof of God? “His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (vs 20) So why deny the obvious and reject the existence of God? “... because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (vs. 21) The rest of the chapter details the tragic sins that people who reject God fall into.
Postlude
We are not called to be “polite company,” but to spread the good news. That means some rejection, or are we ashamed of Jesus? We must toughen up, and continue telling the good news. When, not if, but when we are rejected, shake it off and move on. Our task is too important to quit!
Readings
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 and Psalm 48
Ezekiel 2:1-5 and Psalm 123
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
