Some People are Hard to Reach – Mark 6:1-6

Text: Mark 6:1-6

Have You Been Rejected?

You probably have someone in your family or circle of friends you’ve tried to share the Lord with, but they’ve shown no interest. They might hgave even displayed hostility.

You may have felt guilty about it. I must be doing something wrong. If only I had the right words, the right approach . . .

Something like this happened in Jesus’ life.

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! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. (Mark 6:1-6).

That must have been difficult for the Lord.

He had returned home to Nazareth, probably eager to share His message with people He had grown up with. And it seemed to start well—people were amazed at His teaching.

Even Jesus was Rejected!

But that’s as far as it went. They were scandalized by His lowly roots, and they doubted He could have risen higher than they or His family had.

So they rejected Him while simultaneously insulting His mother and siblings.

What About Us?

Sometimes we need to be reminded that if people rejected Christ, and most did, should it surprise us that many people turn away from the message we’re trying to share?

It’s often hardest to reach the ones who’ve known us the longest, especially if they knew us when we were growing up.

But we’re not responsible for how people respond. We need just to keep living the Christian life and looking for opportunities to share Christ.

Sometimes it takes people years to overcome emotional or intellectual barriers to the gospel, but some of them will eventually come to know Christ.

Is there someone you know who doesn’t yet believe?

Perhaps soon the Lord will give you an opportunity again to talk about Christ and share your faith.