Mark Reading Plan – W6D1
Week 6 | Day 1 | Mark 6:1-6
Pray
Ask God to open your heart to His word today.
Bible Reading (read these verses three times slowly)
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 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? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 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.
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.
Reflection & Questions
It’s the strangest reaction.
Mark writes that Jesus’ hometown people heard his wisdom and saw his miracles, but were they proud of their hometown boy? Did they put up banners and balloons? Nope! “They took offense at him.”
If he had been a victorious army general or a trophy-winning athlete he would have been paraded through town. But he was a prophet. Prophets have an offensive message: Repent. Change. You’re far from God! These hometown folk don’t have humility to hear that message from a “carpenter” or Mary’s illegitimate son (notice they don’t say Mary and Joseph’s son).
Just like for those who knew Jesus, it can be hard for those who’ve known us in a “previous” life to listen to what we have to say about Jesus. Afterall, maybe they knew us when we were in diapers! It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t share with them, but we can be gracious knowing that it’s a tough pill to swallow.
We must also guard ourselves against pride which prevents us listening to Jesus or those He sends in our path. We will justify our dismissal of these prophets with a myriad of reasons. But ultimately, when we block our ears with pride, we’re the losers.
- Are you listening with humble or proud ears? How do you know?
- Have you experienced offense from those closest to you when sharing the gospel? How can you continue to be a light to them?
Pray
Pray for humble ears to hear what God has to say and pray for those closest to you that they would see your love for Jesus and want to hear more.
Worship Song
In response to today’s reading, you could use this song to worship Jesus:
Bible Reading
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 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? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 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.
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.
Reflection and Questions
If you woke up one morning and you were the most popular and famous sports player in the world, how do you think the people at school would react? They would go crazy, right? They would freak out and treat you like you were SO cool, wouldn’t they?
And in this bible story, we see that Jesus’ hometown people heard his wisdom and saw his miracles, but were they proud of their hometown boy? Did they put up banners and balloons? Nope! “They took offense at him.” WHAT??
If he had been an amazing army general or a trophy-winning athlete he would have been paraded through town. But he wasn’t those things, he was a prophet. A prophet is someone who God gives a message to give to the people around them. And Jesus’ message wasn’t the easiest message for everyone to hear. And the people in Jesus’ hometown? They REALLY don’t want to listen to him, because they don’t really believe that he’s actually who he says he is, the Son of God!
In your life, make sure that you are carefully listening to the people around you who are trying to teach you about God. Your parents, your teachers at church, the bible, all kinds of different people and places! They want to teach you the good news about Jesus, so make sure you’re listening and following it!
- Are you listening to people around you teach you about Jesus?
- How can you be someone who can teach others about Jesus?
Prayer
Pray about what we read today, and how you can use it this week.
Bible Reading
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 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? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 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.
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.
Devo Focus
And they took offense at him. Vs. 3
Devo
You would think that the hometown crowd would be the best crowd, right? No so for Jesus! They were the worst crowd. Mark writes that Jesus’ hometown people heard his wisdom and saw his miracles, but were they proud of their hometown boy? Did they put up banners and balloons? Nope! “They took offense at him.” If he had been a victorious army general or a trophy-winning athlete he would have been paraded through town. But he was a prophet. Prophets have an offensive message: Repent. Change. You’re far from God! These hometown folk don’t have humility to hear that message from a “carpenter” or Mary’s illegitimate son (notice they don’t say Mary and Joseph’s son). Just like for those who knew Jesus, it can be hard for those who’ve known us in a “previous” life to listen to what we have to say about Jesus. Afterall, maybe they knew us when we were in diapers! It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t share with them, but we can be gracious knowing that it’s a tough pill to swallow. We must also guard ourselves against pride which prevents us listening to Jesus or those He sends in our path. We will justify our dismissal of these prophets with a myriad of reasons. But ultimately, when we block our ears with pride, we’re the losers.
- Are you listening with humble or proud ears? How do you know?
- Have you experienced offense from those closest to you when sharing the gospel? How can you continue to be a light to them?
Prayer
Pray for humble ears to hear what God has to say and pray for those closest to you that they would see your love for Jesus and want to hear more.
