1Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.
8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Question 1
Who are the people that know you best?
Question 2
Have you had the experience of people refusing to believe what you tell them?
After a period of traveling around the country preaching and making amazing signs, Jesus returns to the area where he grew up. You would expect these people, of all places, to believe his message! These people had spent years in his company, watched him grow. They knew him when he was a child – the wisest, obedient and courteous child ever, who never misbehaved. Then having grown, they knew he was a very special man, who never cheated or did wrong to anyone.
But now that Jesus had begun his public ministry and was teaching with authority, the people who had known him all his life couldn’t accept what he was saying. Although they acknowledge that he says and does the most special things, they refuse to accept his message because they think he is an ordinary man. And because they didn’t believe, he couldn’t help them.
As Jesus sends out his disciples to share the good news depending entirely on God, he gives them a warning. Just as people rejected him, people will refuse to listen to them. When that happens, they’re supposed to leave that place shaking the dust off their feet. This was something Jews would do after being in one of the cities of other nations, as a sign that those people did not belong to God’s people. This is the serious message the disciples were giving – if you don’t accept Jesus Christ, then you’re not one of God’s people.
Question 3
What do we learn from the fact that Jesus can’t save these people?
Question 4
Why do you think Jesus sends out his disciples without many things, like food and money?
Pray
for strength to continue to follow Jesus even if the whole world rejects you.
