He Had to Tell

Mark 6:1-3 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 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! 3 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.
 
OF all the centuries the world has existed, it has only been the last 650 years mankind has known the earth is round. When scientists before that said the earth was flat, it was not a lie. It was the truth of the age based on limited knowledge. When sea voyagers and others began to learn the truth, did they keep the fact to themselves? Of course not. They told the truth. But the educated community’s first reaction was an aggressive attempt to silence them. How dare they confront the common understanding? Even when the evidence is plainly visible, we often find it extremely difficult to admit what we know is not correct. The “flat earth” theory has greatly limited exploration and development for most of human history.
   Whether true or false, ideas and perceptions have consequences. We must be passionate about the truth. Only the truth leads to true achievement.
   With their false ideas in mind, the ruling Jews in Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, didn’t accept this wisdom that has been given him. Luke 4 records his first preaching in Nazareth. Jesus had announced his ministry and proclaimed he fulfilled  the prophets’ promises to bring God’s favor to his people. But they rejected him, even tried to kill him. And now once more, they rejected the he even does miracles when the visible evidence was plain.  What was set so firmly in their minds caused them to reject the Son of God ministering his mercy to them.
   They couldn’t get past what they knew of him. He’s a carpenter. Carpenters build houses. They do not preach, teach and heal. He’s one of us, “Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon.” And, “Aren’t his sisters here with us?” Their idea of the Messiah was certainly different than Jesus. The consequence of their ideas blinded them to the Lord’s glory in their synagogue. Jesus spoke into the misinformation, but they said, “You are not qualified.” They dismissed the Way to Life. Consequently, they missed Jesus’ salvation.
   As you know, the world is full of ideas. We must be very careful to examine what we hear and learn. God has given us his Word to be our safeguard against false ideas with consequences that distort his church, confuse our minds and isolate our souls. Listen to the Bible. Meet with others to learn together. Know God’s truth, so you can know the consequences of his profound love for you.