Rejection and Mission

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
July 5, 2015
Mark 6:1-13

 Introduction

The theme of today's Gospel reading (Mark 6:1-13) is rejection and mission. In our Gospel reading today, Jesus was rejected in His hometown of Nazareth. Nevertheless, He continued His mission and even called twelve of His disciples to engage in mission and taught them how to handle rejections. As we United Methodists engage in our mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” (The Book of Discipline 2012, ¶120) Jesus helps us in handling rejection.

I. Jesus' Rejection at Nazareth (Mark 6:1-8)

After healing the hemorrhaging woman and raising Jairus' daughter (last Sunday's Gospel reading, Mark 5:21-43), Jesus “came to His own country' (Mark 6:1); i.e., to Nazareth (cf. Luke 4:16). On the Sabbath day He went to the synagogue and taught (v. 2).

A. People had two reactions to Jesus: astonishment and rejection.

1. At first, the people were “astonished” at Him: “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!” (v. 2, New King James Version) They marveled at a) His wisdom, as shown in His teaching, and at b) His power, as seen in the miracles (called here as “mighty works”, Greek δυναμις dunamis, 'power'; the etymology of the English word dynamite) that He performed.
2. But afterwards, they were “offended” at Him. They made mention of His family: that He is the son of Mary, and of His brothers and sisters*. “So they were offended (Greek εσκανδαλίζοντο eskandakilizonto, 'scandalized' or 'made to stumble') at Him” (v. 3).

B. As a result, Jesus “could do no mighty work there” (v. 5). Some “faith preachers” use this verse to “prove” that faith is necessary for miracles to happen. Conversely, if one does not experience miracles, one “does not have faith” (or worse, is harboring some “unconfessed sin”). But Jesus was able to perform a few miracles there: “...except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them” (v. 5). Jesus did not perform miracles (at least not many and not openly) there because “He marveled at their unbelief” (v. 6).

Jesus often requires faith when performing miracles; but as God, He has sovereign will to do whatever He pleases. He can perform miracles even in the absence of faith. But Jesus performs miracles so that people will have faith in Him (cf. John 2:11). He knew that people that even if He performed miracles, the people will still not believe in Him. (Which was what the St. John wrote in his Gospel: “Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they would still not believe in Him”--John 12:37, New International Version).

C. Jesus taught us how to respond to rejection in the ministry. 1) He continued to do good, even to a few (v. 5) and 2) He continued in His work of teaching: “Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching” (v. 6).

II.   The Mission of the Twelve (Mark 6:9-13)

Afterwards, Jesus called twelve of His disciples to Himself “and gave them power over evil spirits” (v. 9). He commanded them to preach on the Kingdom of God, to heal the sick, to cleanse lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons (cf. Matthew 9:7-8).  He gave them orders that are still useful to us today.

A. In mission, depend on God for provisions. “He commanded them to take...no bag, no bread, no copper in their their money belts” (v. 8). Conversely, they were told to take only what is necessary for the journey: a staff and sandals (for walking); but not to have two tunics (i.e., a change in clothes. They are to depend on the hospitality of the people of the place. In His commission to the Seventy disciples, Jesus said,

And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.” (Luke 10:7-8)

Jesus told them not to go “from house to house”--which does not mean that they are not to conduct house-to-house visitations, but not to look for better accommodations elsewhere!

There are those who go on mission who sustain themselves with livelihood. For example, St. Paul supported himself by tent-making (Acts 18:3). There are those, like the Apostles, who were called to full-time ministry. But for most of us, bivocational clergy and especially you lay people, you are called to make a living. Nevertheless, we are to depend on God for our needs!

B. Be prepared to handle rejection. Jesus also taught the disciples how to handle rejection. Just as they might receive hospitality, they will also receive rejection! Jesus taught the disciples that when they are rejected in a town, they are to shake off the dust off their feet as a testimony against them. (v. 11). Shaking off the dust off one's feet is a gesture of judgment. According to John Wesley, (Notes Upon the New Testament), the Jews considered the very dust of the Israel as holy. When they have come from a Gentile town, they shake off the dust of their feet before entering the Holy Land. They believed that Gentile dust should not be brought into Jewish soil. Thus, to shake dust off one's feet at someone is to declare that that someone is an unbeliever!

People are free to reject to good news of the Kingdom of God. As believers, we are to recognize that a person chose not to believe. Jesus told the Seventy to say,

The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you. (Luke 10:11, NKJV)

But that we are also make people realize that rejecting the Gospel does not absolve them of responsibility. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city” (v. 11).

Conclusion

In our Epistle reading (2 Corinthians 12:1-10), St. Paul mentioned a “thorn in the flesh” (v. 7), perhaps a physical ailment, “a messenger of Satan” (literally, angel of Satan; i.e., a demon!) that was sent to “buffet” him “lest I be exalted above measure” (v. 7). He prayed three times for it to be removed (v. 8)--which means that God did not heal him the first and second time. On the third time, God responded; and His response ought to speak to us today:

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

Therefore Paul said,

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In our mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”, there may be time that we may be rejected. But God's grace is sufficient for us, and His strength is made manifest in our weakness. By God's grace, when we are weak, then we are strong. Amen.
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* His brothers and sisters – Catholics and the Orthodox understand these “brothers and sisters” are not actual literally brohers and sisters but as other relatives, i.e., cousins. Meanwhile, Protestants and Evangelicals interpret this as Jesus' literal brothers and sisters; the children of Joseph and Mary after the birth of Jesus. John Wesley understood these brothers and sisters are  the cousins of Jesus: “They were the sons of Mary, sister to the virgin, and wife of Cleophas or Alpheus” (Note on Matthew xiii:55; cf. Notes on John vii:1, John xix:25, & c.)