Saturday 06 November 2021

Psalm 32

Background

Today’s passage concludes a longer section in Mark’s Gospel that began in 4:35, but it makes a rather sad contrast with what has gone before. Previously, we read how Jesus demonstrated his power and authority by stilling a storm on the Sea of Galilee, curing the sick and even bringing a young girl back to life. Suddenly, though, now he seems unable to perform any miracles at all (v. 5).

The occasion for this dramatic change is his return to Nazareth, which is described as his “hometown” (v. 1). Although famous in later centuries because of its association with Jesus and now one of the largest cities in modern Israel, at this time the place was a true backwater. Unlike Paul’s birthplace of Tarsus (Acts 21:39), it was never mentioned by contemporary authors and probably had a population of no more than 500 people. Nathanael’s reaction to Jesus in John’s Gospel tells us that people thought that little good could come from this insignificant place (John 1:46). The passage also tells us a little more about Nazareth’s most famous son, who was a “carpenter” (v. 3), although the original Greek could refer to a number of skilled trades, such as mason. It also suggests that his father, Joseph, was no longer living at this time (v. 3), although this is not absolutely clear (see John 6:42, for example), but that he did have several brothers and sisters.

 A key word in the passage come in verse 3, “they took offence at him”. The original Greek word derives from skandalon, which means snare, or stumbling block (and ultimately is the root of our word ‘scandal’). In the New Testament, it is regularly used to describe something that causes people to sin or fail (eg Matthew 13:41). Here, it is the people’s familiarity with Jesus that acts as such an impediment, preventing them from recognising who he truly is and seemingly preventing him from performing "deeds of power" (v. 5). The gospels tell us that even Jesus’ own family struggled with this too (John 7:5), and earlier in Mark’s account they tried physically to restrain him from teaching and preaching (Mark 3:21).

To Ponder:

•  Why do you think Jesus was unable to perform miracles in Nazareth, when he had done such great wonders elsewhere?
• Have there been times in your own life when you have failed to recognise the truth about those closest to you?
• What stumbling blocks prevent you from recognising the truth around you?

Prayer

Surprising God, open my eyes to the wisdom and truth you will reveal to me today. Amen.