Rejection of the Lord Jesus

More people reject the Lord, the gospel, and the truth in every generation. Even in the town of Nazareth, his hometown, he was rejected. (Mark 6:1-6)

Carpenter to rabbi

In Nazareth, the city people knew Him as a carpenter, probably serving for about eighteen years. They wondered how He became so powered in words and works. They did not recognize Him as a rabbi for he had no formal theological training, or did not study under a popular rabbi as Paul did under Gamaliel. Under Emperor Julian, Christians were persecuted. One philosopher working for Julian mocked Christians: “What is your carpenter’s son doing now?” The persecuted Christians wisely said: “He is making a coffin for Julian.” Carpenters in India would be considered as belonging to a low caste. However, carpenters are builders, discern potential wood, and invest time to make it useable, and fine furniture comes out of the hardest wood.

The son of Mary

Generally, in Israel, a person is described as a son of the father, even when the mother is a widow. In Nazareth, this phrase was used to insult and humiliate the Lord as an illegitimate son and ridicule Mary. The detractors also commented about the stepbrothers and sisters of the Lord.

Honor of Prophets

The Lord explained a prophet may not be recognized or esteemed by the family, relatives, kin, and neighbors.

Marveled

The Lord marveled because of their unbelief. On other occasions, he marveled at the great faith of people like Centurion, who touched the garment to be healed, and the Canaanite woman. (Matthew 9:20-22; 15:22-28) Because of their unbelief, He did not do any miracles there.

Unbelief

This is a dangerous sin. Unbelief refuses to believe in the living true God and His Holy Word. Even today people express their unbelief by Rejecting Christ, Rejecting the Bible, Rejecting the Gospel, Rejecting the evidence of the miracles and eyewitnesses, and questioning the Power of God. The father of the boy prayed: “I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:25)