Our LORD Returned to Nazareth

In the Gospels we read that our Lord grew up in Nazareth, and taught in the synagogue there. He is often referred to in the four Gospels and in the book of Acts as “Jesus of Nazareth.”

You may recall the words of Nathanael, recorded in John 1:46: “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip saith unto him, “Come and see.”

1. THEY WERE ASTONISHED
   They were astonished at our Lord's “wisdom” (6:2). We saw a similar response in the synagogue in Capernaum (1:21, 22).They were challenging our Lord's credentials (cf. Mark 11:27-33). They refused to acknowledge that our Lord was sent by God, implying that He was getting His teachings and power from the devil (Matt. 12:22-24; John 8:48, 52; 9:29).

2. THEY WERE OFFENDED
   This is Mark's last mention of Jesus teaching in a synagogue, or of even being in a synagogue. The Jewish leaders rejected Him and “were offended at him” (6:3). Our Lord's deity was a stumbling block for the Jews. The apostle Paul said, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness” (I Cor. 1:23).

3. THEY WERE FAITHLESS
   There are only two occasions where it is recorded that Jesus marveled. In Matthew 8:10 (also recorded in Luke 7:9), our Lord marveled at the Roman centurion's “great faith.” Their unbelief had a paralyzing effect on His ministry, and so He left His hometown of Nazareth, apparently never to return.

Is your unbelief hindering the Lord from working in your life? Or in our church? In your home?

Great things are accomplished through faith (cf. Mark 5:34-36).