Not Here!

He went away from there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. "Where did this man get these things?" They said. "What is this wisdom given to Him, and how are these miracles performed by His hands? Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren't His sisters here with us?" So they were offended by Him. Mark 6:1-3

Jesus had just raised Jairus' daughter. Jairus was the leader of the synagogue of perhaps Tiberias, some 15-20kms away. Yet here, in another synagogue He is rejected because this was where He grew up. In fact the people were offended, probably jealous because He was as a common man, to them, and suddenly blessed with wisdom.

Imagine having your brothers and sisters reject you. I wonder where they are all are, are they with Jesus. We know that James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem and the book of Jude may well have been written by Judas. What of his sisters, and brothers Jose and Simon?

Imagine being so close and yet so far away in faith. Many of us have been rejected by our family, some have been betrayed. Imagine the day they come to recognise the truth. Would they be standing before the Lord at that time or would it be a divine appointment sooner?

Being rejected by those who have known you is the lonelinest of experiences. Not being accepted means going home is no longer a joy. Now there is a space where there was companionship.

Jesus had said earlier that those who do the will of the Father were His family now. Would His blood family know that? How awkward being in His home town and being watched, the silence would be deafening.

Thank You Jesus that You persevered, conquered grief, pain and fear. Thank you that you kept it sweet!

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