Mark 6:1-13 (NRSV)
The Twelve sent to preach and heal
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Reflection
Jesus had returned to Nazareth. Once before Jesus was rejected, but now he had come again. Before Jesus left as just one of their own, but now Jesus returned as a Rabbi. What would the response be this time?
We seem to miss many miracles today. I think they missed the miracle in Nazareth in this passage also. Here God is among us and in this passage God is among the people in Jesus.
But God appears as one of themselves, disguised as one of the children from home who had left and come back with knowledge and power. But this couldn't be a miracle of God's presence! This must be the act of the devil and a deception. This is no miracle in the sense that God has shown God's presence in Jesus. They missed it! And we miss is so many times in our day as well.
Jesus' sidekicks became witnesses to the miracle of God present here on this earth. Jesus sends the disciples out to extend God's presence in all the world. The disciples of that day and of this day too are sent to preach repentance, cast out evil and heal the sick.
Don't miss it yourself. God is present on this earth this day through the movement of the Holy Spirit throughout time and space into this world and throughout heaven, as all the saints declare the awesome miracle of the love of God in Christ Jesus that saves the sinful, heals the sick and defeats all sin, death and evil. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Father, Jesus, Spirit... your presence is a miracle. As you abide with us this day send us with your power to proclaim to all the world the miracle of forgiveness, life, and love for all your creation. --- Amen
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