Lessons 74-76

LESSON 74 - Mark 6:1-6

1And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 2And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 4But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6And he marvelled because of their unbelief.

1. What was Jesus' own country? Luke 4:14, 16, 23

Where had He been raised? Luke 2:39-40

2. Who was with Him here?

3. On what day did He teach there? What would He have done before that time?

4. Why was the crowd astonished?

5. What false assumption had they made?

6. How many half-brothers did Jesus have? How many half-sisters?

Where did they live?

7. Why didn't they refer to Jesus as Joseph's son, as some did in John 6:42?

8. Why would the townspeople be offended at His teachings?

9. Jesus said that a prophet (one who speaks the message God gives him) does not receive honor in his own house, from his own relatives and from his own country. Why would that be true?

10. Refusing to honor Him was a result of what condition of their hearts?

11. What should they have believed?

12. What did they lose as a result of their unbelief?

13. What application of this can you make to your situation?

LESSON 75 - Mark 6:1-6 (Continued)

Answers to lesson 72 questions:

1. Nazareth of Galilee

2. His disciples.........His relatives and family were probably attending this sabbath teaching as well as the townspeople.

3. Saturday, the Jewish sabbath (which is actually from about 6:30 pm Friday until 6:30 pm Saturday)...........visit with family and friends

4. They couldn't figure out from where Jesus got His words, His wisdom, and His mighty works. It should have been a no-brainer!

5. They assumed a carpenter couldn't be a learned man or gifted by God. They probably believed those kinds of things were only done by the religious rulers.

6. Four half-brothers, at least two half-sisters who still lived in Nazareth. Each sister had probably married and moved out of the family dwelling.

7. These men may have known the family since before the birth of Jesus and so referred to Him correctly as Mary's son. Also Joseph may have died by this time.

8. They didn't believe and didn't intend to change their minds. To them, Jesus was not the Messiah sent by God. They ignored and rejected the overwhelming evidence of His works, His endorsement by John the Baptist and His Father, His words, His wisdom, and the fulfilment of prophecy. They chose to close their eyes to the truth. What truth have you closed your eyes to? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the areas where you have rejected the truth. When I did this, He showed me that I was not being a good steward of my, no His, body. 1 Cor 6:19-20 So I'm getting into shape and monitoring what I eat better.

9. They rejected the thought that God would work through Jesus, Whom they thought they knew well. They were probably looking for the Messiah to come on the scene as a great King, not a carpenter. They had preconceived notions, which caused them to remain in unbelief and to reject Jesus as the Messiah.

10. Unbelief, hardness of heart . . . Mk 1:6 states, "He marvelled at their unbelief." Jesus was amazed that they rejected all the signs, wonders, healings, miracles, and words as well as the scriptures that clearly showed Who He was.

11. They should have accepted all that God sent them to help them believe. Read John 5:31-47 to see the 5 witnesses to Jesus being the Messiah. He had a reputation as a Healer and Prophet in other areas of Israel and outlying areas.

12. The mighty works He wanted to do, miracles, healings, etc. A few believed and came to Him, seeking healing and received a miracle, but many who could have received didn't bother to come. How sad!

13. The men of Nazareth asked questions, but they weren't really seeking answers. It is important to receive the truth and testimonies that God sends you, so you won't miss what He wants to give you. Anytime we view the Lord Jesus as less than He is, we miss some of the greatness of His work in and through us. Nazareth saw Jesus as a common Man. If you view Him incorrectly, as just a Man, you will never receive Him as Who He is, the Savior of the world and Lord of the universe. Satan works to keep mankind from receiving this truth.

LESSON 76 - Mark 6:1-6

"From where has this Man these things?" (verse 2).

Nicodemus knew. John 3:1-2 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

John the Baptist knew. John 1:34 he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 35Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

Andrew, Peter's brother, knew. John 1:41 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42And he brought him to Jesus.

A Roman centurion knew. Matt 8:5-10 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Even demons knew. Mk 3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.

Unfortunately the people of Nazareth missed their opportunity to know the Son of God as Savior and most did not receive the miracles that Jesus wanted to do for them. How blind they were! Even Jesus' family didn't receive Who He was, until after His resurrection. John 7:5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

After His resurrection, they believed.

Acts 1:6,12-14 This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: . . .14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

In Mark 6, when Jesus returned to Nazareth for a visit, He should have gotten a welcoming parade, mayor's reception, key to the city and all the honor He deserved, as a testimony of their belief in Him, but He didn't get any honor from the leaders, because they didn't believe in Him. As a consequence of their unbelief, they missed out on the miracles God wanted to give them.

Unbelief will keep you from receiving anything from God. James 1:5-7 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;...

Arrogance can keep you from receiving from God. It can block your spiritual vision. Thinking "I know God doesn't do that anymore or wouldn't do it that way..." may make you miss the blessings of God.

If Jesus was rejected at times, His followers will be rejected at times as well. Don't be discouraged. Jesus didn't give up. He just moved on to those who would heed His message and receive His blessings.