I'm sure that you are very familiar with these verses, but they always, every time I read them, cause me to pause and check my own heart! Mark 6:1-6:
1 Jesus went away from there and came to His [own] country and hometown [Nazareth], and His disciples followed [with] Him. 2 And on the Sabbath He began to teach in the synagogue; and many who listened to Him were utterly astonished, saying, Where did this Man acquire all this? What is the wisdom [the broad and full intelligence which has been] given to Him? What mighty works and exhibitions of power are wrought by His hands! 3 Is not this the Carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here among us? And they took offense at Him and were hurt [that is, they disapproved of Him, and it hindered them from acknowledging His authority] and they were caused to stumble and fall. 4 But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor (deference, reverence) except in his [own] country and among [his] relatives and in his [own] house. 5 And He was not able to do even one work of power there, except that He laid His hands on a few sickly people [and] cured them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in Him). And He went about among the surrounding villages and continued teaching.
Because these people, even some of Jesus' own family, were so familiar with the MAN, they could not accept Who He really was/is! Bear in mind that they heard and saw what others had, yet they were so focused on the natural man that they could not believe! The same thing happens today with ministers of the Gospel! People can become so familiar with someone that they always look at them through natural, human eyes rather than receive the Spirit of God as He minsters through them! We are ALL simply flesh and blood vessels through which Holy Spirit manifests His presence and power when we dare to believe, and act on, His Word! Remember that we are ALL called into the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). There will be some who will receive us and others who will not. The most important thing for us to remember is that we are rewarded for OUR obedience, NOT for their reception! So, take stock of how YOU are receiving ministers of the Gospel, and then be obedient to say and do what Holy Spirit directs. Pray for those you minister to and then cast the CARE of them over on HIM! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Oceans - Where Feet May Fail" as you recommit to YOUR personal ministry!
Shalom in Him!
