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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 126

1 Peter 4:19 "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."

Day 126 – Mark 6

“Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19

MINISTERING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Jesus had a great public ministry. Who would not want to hear the wonderful words of grace that flowed from His mouth? Which sick person would not want to come to Him for healing? Mark made a note of just how effective Jesus’ ministry was in the following text.

“And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him,
and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea
and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon,
a great multitude, when they heard how many things
He was doing, came to Him.”
MARK 3:7-8

MINISTERING ON HOME GROUND

Jesus had become a celebrity in Israel. He was well known in Capernaum especially. Multitudes flocked to Him whenever they knew that He was in the city (Cf. Mark 2:1-2).

From time to time, Jesus would return to His hometown. He would do what He used to do, before He stepped into His public ministry. He would go to the local synagogue and involve Himself in the worship on Sabbath.

“Then He went out from there and came to His own country,
and His disciples followed Him.
And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach
in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished,
saying, ‘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!”
MARK 6:1-2

How should we interpret this text? What was Mark trying to communicate as he wrote these words? Let us ponder the following thoughts.

1. His own country

a) Was it Bethlehem?
Bethlehem was the birthplace of Jesus. However, it is not likely that this little town would be called “His own country”. (There were not very many people who lived in Bethlehem).
b) Was it Nazareth?
The Lord was sometimes addressed as “Jesus of Nazareth” (Cf. Mark 1:9 ; John 1:45).

2. A strong contrast was intended

His own village appeared to be unimpressed, even skeptical!