Is this not the carpenter's son?

 

 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

- Matthew 13:53–58 

 

St. Matthew's chapter 13 is famous for the beautiful yet simple parables Jesus gives which are recorded in it.  These are parables of the kingdom of heaven, described by Jesus as illustrating what it is "like."  In yesterday's reading, Jesus gave us the final parables of this chapter.  He said, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."  Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old." 

 

 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.  Once again we witness the encounter of Jesus as one who speaks with authority among His own people, so to speak.  This time, Jesus is in His own country, which is Nazareth in Galilee.   My study Bible notes the frequent double response to Jesus; they are both astonished and offended at Him.  These are the neighbors He grew up with, the people who knew Him as the carpenter's son, one of the members of the family they know.  This is not a prominent family who were members of the ruling council, not Levitical priests, not authorities in the synagogue.  So, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?"  Let us remember that to even own a book (or a scroll) is a rather extraordinary thing in Jesus' time, as books were prohibitively costly, time-consuming, and expensive to make.  My study Bible comments that Christ's rejection in His own country fulfills the rejection of the Old Testament prophets such as Elijah and Elijah (Luke 4:23-27), and foreshadows His rejection by the whole Jewish nation at His trial before Pilate (John 19:14-15).  

 

Jesus goes to His hometown of Nazareth, and He doesn't just rock the boat.  He demolishes the foundation of the social order of the town by being simply "the carpenter's son" and member of this family they know, and yet filled with extraordinary wisdom and making mighty works.  He has burst the bubble of the family order they know, and has become -- made manifest -- the Christ they didn't know.  Perhaps only His mother was truly aware, and had faith in, the person that Jesus always was (Luke 2:18-20; John 2:1-5).  But the world, the general public, would not know anything of His identity as Christ until He began His public ministry, which occurred when He was thirty years old.  So for the neighbors and townspeople, this particular Jesus is one whom they did not know.  He is new to them now.  But Jesus' wisdom and mighty works, and their astonished and offended response to them, in some sense confirms all of Jesus' parables of the kingdom of heaven.  For, if this was not such a rare treasure, would they be so astonished -- and would they be so offended at Jesus' rare possession of such prized treasure in this society?  One thing Jesus' rejection teaches us -- and also in the sense that it echoes the rejection of the prophets who came before the Son came to us in human form -- is that if we prize this treasure of the kingdom of heaven, so we will also face rejection.  We'll face rejection from the envious and those who cannot understand, who expect us to be someone quite different than we are in Christ and through the effects of faith and the working of grace.  The true treasure of the kingdom is that pearl of great price from yesterday's reading, and like the treasure in the parable, it is hidden to others.  In that is our joy.  But in our joy, Jesus has taught us, we will also have tribulation.  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"  (John 16:33).  So essential is this lesson in today's reading, that this saying appears in all four Gospels:  "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house" (see also Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24; John 4:44, 1:11).  Let us remember that this treasure of great price is worth every cost, and every effort. 

 

 

A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house

 

 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

- Matthew 13:53-58 

 

In our recent readings (beginning with Tuesday last week) Jesus has been preaching in parables.  In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered  the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."  Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

 

  Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.  Jesus' own country is Nazareth in Galilee, where He was brought up.  His old neighbors are both astonished and offended at Him.  This double response of both marveling and rejection occurs frequently in those who encounter Christ, my study Bible notes (see Luke 11:14-16; John 9:16).  Christ's being rejected in His own country fulfills the rejection of the Old Testament prophets such as Elijah and Elisha (see Luke 4:26-27), and it foreshadows His rejection by the whole Jewish nation at His trial before Pilate (John 19:14-15).  

 

What is prophetic witness?  What is the role of a prophet?  It is to call people back to God.  It's intriguing that this story about Jesus' rejection in His hometown at Nazareth appears just after we're told about all of His marvelous parables He's been preaching.  In yesterday's reading, Jesus gave us parables of treasure:  a pearl of great price, a treasure hidden in a field.  He ended with the statement, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."  This treasure is the Old and New Testaments, and so much of the scriptures that existed for Christ and His contemporaries consisted of the books of the prophets.  Let's recall also that yesterday's reading included yet another stark warning about judgment.  So, this episode in which Jesus visits His hometown and presents Himself as a Teacher in the synagogue is cast in the light of those teachings and that reminder of judgment.  But His prophetic voice isn't heard in His hometown.  They're not impressed with His gifts of beautiful speech, His wisdom and His mighty works.  Somehow He has violated the social order in acquiring these things, in becoming the Person they see before them now.  So they are both astonished and offended at Him.  They ask, "Where then did this Man get all these things?"  And here is the real complaint.  They're not valuing the treasure He offers them; but they're resentful that He has it to offer.  Jesus says to them, " "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  This statement is so significant, it is found in all four Gospels (see also Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24; John 4:44).  So long as Christ's messianic secret was kept, His fellow townspeople knew Him as the carpenter's son,  the son of Mary, brother to extended family James, Joses, Simon, and Judas, with sisters they all know.  So "where did this Man get all these things?"  It tells us about the prophet role, in that the things Jesus offers were always things within Him.  The word He speaks were always treasures which stand the test of time, in the long lineage of the prophets who've come to call the people to God, ostensibly what the people attend synagogue to honor.  Jesus has come out in His public ministry in the appointed time, and that time is now for them, but they reject Him.  It teaches us about things we may live with, things that are true, but which for one reason and another, we simply don't want to hear or recognize.  For this is the prophetic role, to call people out of their complacency with the limitations of what they think they know, the accepted order they don't want disturbed.  The truths revealed by prophets call us to question ourselves and our lives; they call us to change, they call us to return to God.  And this is repentance, this turning to God to find where God wants us to go, what God wants to open our eyes to, how God wants us to go forward and move "closer" to Him.  Jesus' words of treasure call us to this reality all the time.  Let us not be so complacent that we don't want to be rudely awakened to Him and to the truth He brings us.  Let us meet the challenge of today with acceptance and not rejection, for there is always treasure that might be hidden in a field, or a pearl of great price to acquire that we simply don't see, but it's there in His word for us.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them

 

 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 may 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. 

 

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.   He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  

 

- Mark 6:1–13 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side (returning from healing the Gadarene demoniac), a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.  And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name.  And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death.  Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.  Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians.  She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the  crowd and touched His garment.  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"  But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."  While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead.  Why trouble the Teacher any further?"  As soon as Jesus heard the word that  was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep?  The child is not dead, but sleeping."  And they ridiculed Him.  But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age.  And they were overcome with great amazement.  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.  

 

  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 may 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."  Christ's own country is Nazareth, the place where He was raised.  My study Bible comments that this double response of being both astonished and offended occurs frequently with those who encounter Christ (Luke 11:14-16; John 9:16).  Christ's rejection in his own country is a foreshadowing of His rejection by the whole Jewish nation at His trial before Pilate (John 19:14-15).  In Near and Middle Eastern usage, then and today, brother can be used as a term for any number of varied relations.  Jesus' brothers and sisters are either children by a previous marriage of St. Joseph, or other relatives such as cousins and extended family.  Mary had only one child, her Son, Jesus.  Christ's saying, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house," is so significant that it is found in all four Gospels (Matthew 13:57; Luke 4:24; John 4:44).

 

 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.  My study Bible comments that Jesus could do no mighty work there, not because He lacked power, but because of the unbelief of all but a few in Nazareth.  While grace is always offered to all, it notes, only those who receive it in faith obtain its benefits.  Let us note here that in the Greek, the word translated here as mighty work is the same word translated as "power" in yesterday's reading, above.  In yesterday's reading, Christ's power went out of Him in response to the faith of the woman with the years-long bloodflow; here there is no faith to respond to.

 

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.   He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.   After choosing the twelve (in this reading), the time has come that He has prepared them to be sent out on their first apostolic mission (in the Greek, the word for apostle means "one sent out" while disciple means "learner").  Here, once again, we encounter the word power in English, but in the Greek of this particular verse, this word is more akin to "authority."  This kind of power that He has given them is a conference of strength that comes out of His substance, His identity as Lord.  So, in a sense, Christ has made them His ministers of a sort.  He has given them authority over the unclean spirits, to command them as He does.  My study Bible comments on anointing the sick with oil.  It notes that this not only has medicinal value but also sacramental value.  As God's healing power is bestowed through creation, it says (Mark 5:27; Numbers 21:8-9; 2 Kings 13:21; John 9:6-7; Acts 5:15; 19:11-12), so oil is also a vehicle of God's mercy and healing in the Church (James 5:14).  

 

 Power plays a strong role yet again in today's reading.  We compare and contrast this with the role Christ's power played in yesterday's reading.  Yesterday, as noted above, we read that power went out from Jesus in response to the woman who touched His clothes from behind Him in a crowd.  But in today's reading, that holy power to do "mighty works" has no faith to which to respond in Christ's hometown of Nazareth.  The people there are too clouded by their own memories and assignments of identity to Christ in terms of His social position as One who grew up among them as one of them, and their perspectives on His own family and their place in the town.  Their sight is clouded by their own opinions, worldly experience and assumptions, and possibly prejudices.  They believe that they know what they know, and so they are both astonished and offended at Him.  But they cannot accept the Christ who now stands before them as He is revealed to be in His ministry.  So there is a lack of faith in Him.  But this shows us also how holy power works, for it often does so through the least likely and most unassuming in terms of our own expectations and worldly notions.  This is exemplified in God's words to St. Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (see 2 Corinthians 12:9).  This, too, is related to faith and prayer, for this was said to St. Paul after he had prayed three times for a certain affliction to be removed from him, and it was not.  Here is the paradoxical (to us) nature of holy power; in this case, God's strength would be perfected in the affliction itself, in the "weak" vessel of St. Paul, conveyed to the world even through that weakness and, according to human judgment, imperfection.  Yet there was no greater advocate for Christ than St. Paul in terms of his ministry's impact upon the founding of the Church, and so God's strength was made perfect.  This is one of the great paradoxes of our faith, the transcendent usurping power of God through all things, turning all things to the power to serve holiness and beauty.  If Christ is perhaps the "least likely" according to the judgment of His fellow townspeople of Nazareth, so we get a taste of how God works in the world.  For, as my study Bible notes above, so it would be at His Crucifixion.  The apostles themselves are sent out with authority -- Christ's authority which He has chosen to confer upon them.  They are hardly images of human perfection or even at this stage the disciples they would grow to be, yet Christ invest His power in them and places His own faith in them as carriers of His message and ministry, as ambassadors of the His Kingdom.  When the prophet Samuel was sent to anoint a new king of Israel, David seemed the least likely of all the possibilities.  But Samuel was told by the Lord of the one who seemed to look the part of a king, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (see the story at 1 Samuel 16:1-13).  So it is that Jesus sends out the apostles on their first mission, with instructions which in all ways proclaim that they are humble, yet they are invested with the authority conferred by God over the unclean spirits.  Their weapon is the gospel; their rebuke to shake the dust off their feet where they will not be heard.  St. Paul writes, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty" (1 Corinthians 1:27).  Grace and power, and even authority, work through those whom God chooses, through things we least expect, through all things regardless of the views of the worldly-wise.  For this is how our faith works, and as it is yet still working.  

 

 

 

 

And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them

 

 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, and among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He could do not 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.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

 

- Mark 6:1–13 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side (after leaving the country of the Gadarenes), a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.  And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name.  And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death.  Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians.  She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"  But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."  While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead.  Why trouble the Teacher any further?"  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep?  The child is not dead, but sleeping."  And they ridiculed Him.  But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age.  And they were overcome with great amazement.  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat. 

 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.   My study Bible comments that this double response of being both astonished and offended occurs frequently with those who encounter Christ (see also Luke 11:14-16; John 9:16).  Christ's rejection in his own country is a foreshadowing of His rejection by the whole Jewish nation at His trial before Pilate (John 19:14-15).  Jesus' brothers and sister are either children of Joseph, Christ's earthly guardian, from an earlier marriage, or they are cousins (the term "brother" is still used across the Middle East today to indicate extended family).  In Scripture, Abram called his nephew Lot "brother" (Genesis 14:14); Boaz spoke of his cousin Elimelech as his "brother" (Ruth 4:3); and Joab called his cousin Amasa "brother" (2 Samuel 20:9). 

But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house."  So important is this saying that it appears in all four Gospels.  See also Matthew 13:57; Luke 4:24; John 4:44.

Now He could do not 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.  My study Bible explains that Jesus could do no mighty works there, not because He lacked the power to do so, but because of the unbelief of all but a few in Nazareth.  It notes that while grace is always offered to all, only those who receive it in faith obtain its benefits.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  Here the twelve disciples also become apostles.  Disciple means "learner" and apostle means "one sent out" (as on a mission).  Thus these terms are often used interchangeably for these twelve.  Note how He commands them to go out with an attitude of humility, and they are not sent out as by an emperor or general.  They are to take nothing for the journey except a staff to walk with.  No bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts means that they are dependent upon God and upon their welcome wherever they go.  That they wear sandals and only one tunic gives a poor and humble demeanor by their dress.  They are not to "trade up" for better lodgings once they are welcome in a house in the place they preach.  The testimony of shaking off the dust under their feet where they are not welcome will have powerful effects on the day of judgment.  This shows that the word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and of Christ is with them and working through them in their mission. 

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  Christ shares with the disciples, now become apostles, His power to cast out demons and to heal.  My study Bible comments that to anoint the sick with oil has not only medicinal value but also sacramental value as well.  As God's healing power is bestowed through creation, my study Bible says (Mark 5:27; Numbers 21:8-9; 2 Kings 13:21; John 9:6-7; Acts 5:15, 19:11-12), so oil is a vehicle of God's mercy and healing in the Church (see James 5:14).

We note above the very careful instructions given by Christ for the practice of humility in teaching the disciples how they are to engage in their first apostolic mission.  Before He sends them out, He gives even specifics of what they are to wear, what to take and not to take with them, and how they are to conduct themselves as they go preaching from place to place.  All of these instructions point to humility as the way in which they are to practice their preaching, casting out of demons, and healing  on this first mission.  This aspect or attitude of humility is key to an understanding of how God's kingdom works in this world.  For Christ repeatedly emphasizes that the power that works in Him and through God's kingdom is not like worldly power.  It is not ostentatious and it is not manipulative.  Faith, as we observe in every reading, is not something that God compels in us by force, but wants from us voluntarily.  Repeatedly Jesus will explain to the disciples how they are to conduct themselves as future leaders in His Church.  They are to be servants, and not "lord it over" others as they see the Gentiles do (Mark 10:42-45).  He direly warns them of the consequences of committing any offense against the "little ones" in His Church, especially anything that would drive them away from Him (Mark 9:42).  When James and John Zebedee ask if He wanted them to call down fire upon a village of Samaritans who refuse to receive Him, Jesus tells them, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them" (see Luke 9:51-56).  Even when Christ sends out the Seventy on their own apostolic mission, He gives similar instructions to the ones we read in today's reading, but Luke's reporting includes Christ's admonition to "greet no one along the road," meaning not to give nor receive ostentatious greetings as those who represent a kingdom or ruler or person of importance would do (see Luke 10:1-12).  This attitude of humility, which so permeates our Scriptures and the specific teachings of Christ, reminds us Whose Kingdom we are of.  That is, it is emblematic of the God who is loving and merciful, who invites and calls but does not compel.  It is our Lord who heals and who forgives and asks only repentance so that we might realize that forgiveness.  Most of all, it teaches us in so many ways about the love of God for us, which is infinite, for God is love, as the Scriptures teach (1 John 4:8).  Moreover, in the long tradition of monastic life, and the practice of the cultivation of virtue in Christian teaching, we know that humility is the key to all the other virtues, and so is also in that sense, a hallmark of our faith.  First and foremost, that attitude of humility is before God, who then teaches us in turn how to be loving in community with others.  Let us meditate on this, and how the humble attitude which Christ teaches these first apostles significantly "announces" their approach, and who they are, and Whom they represent.  Moreover it teaches to others of the One whose power is shared with them to cast out demons and to heal.  That is, the One who says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29).  Let us learn from Him, and from them.  For humility will also serve us well in so many aspects of life, if we but know what that truly is and what and whom it is for.  Without it, their testimony would not have the power Christ claims and shares with them. 

A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house

 

 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

- Matthew 13:53-58 

 

In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught:  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant selling beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."  Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

 

  Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.  Jesus' own country is Nazareth of Galilee, where He was raised.  My study Bible comments on this double response of people being both astonished and offended at Him; it's a frequent response to Jesus (see Luke 11:14-16; John 9:16).  It notes that Christ's being rejected in His own country fulfills the rejection of the Old Testament prophets such as Elijah and Elisha, and it foreshadows His rejection by the whole nation at His trial before Pilate (John 19:14-15).  Christ's brothers are members of His extended family; either sons of Joseph by a marriage prior to Mary, or cousins, as "brothers" is commonly used for such.  

Jesus says, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  So important is this statement that it appears in all four Gospels (see also Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24; John 4:44).  Perusing today's reading, one is tempted to encapsulate the response of Jesus' townspeople and neighbors in a modern vein, as something like, "Who does He think He is?"  Well, we can think about that question and laugh at it, because we know who He thinks He is, and we (hopefully) know who He is.  So, thinking about this scene with the old neighbors, we might consider first of all the Jesus of everyday life they knew once upon a time, and the Jesus who comes before them with His now public ministry, an entirely different and surprising category of human being.  Apparently the messianic secret remained just that, until perhaps the wedding in Cana, if we go by the chronology of John's Gospel.  We can imagine that only His mother and human guardian/father were privy to this secret, for it is there at that wedding where we witness Mary prompting Him, and a reluctant Jesus asks her (in so many words) if she's really ready for what will come once His public ministry begins.  And so we find, in today's reading, Jesus back in His hometown, with His mother, His "brothers" (extended family), and neighbors.  All of a sudden, to them, He is this Jesus who is teaching in their synagogue (apparently He hadn't done that in the past), and He's full of this wisdom and these mighty works they now hear about.  The neighbors remind one another that He's still the familiar carpenter's son, the One whose family they all know, and so -- where then did this Man get all these things?  Who does He think He is?  How can this be?  How can both of these things be true?  And so they were offended at Him.  Let's note that Jesus' response does not reveal the messianic secret.  He still does not declare who He is.  Instead, He lives who He is, He acts who He is.  He teaching with authority, and produces wisdom and mighty works, all signs of the Christ's presence, God in their midst.  Note that instead of declaring Himself, Jesus aligns Himself with the prophets of the past, and the ways they also were rejected.  By so doing, Jesus puts Himself in a line with those prophets who, while they were not the Messiah, nevertheless brought God closer to the people, and manifested God's word and works in their midst.  For they, too, are part of this same Kingdom, helping to bring it into the world through their faith and devotion to God, and the Scriptures testify also to their rejection.  It tells us something about the worldly, about how God works in the world, sending servants who will call people out of their complacency, out of their corruption and easy money and currying favor and flattery, out of our somnambulant way of walking through life, going along with what we see and accepting the premises of the ways of life around us.  For this is what prophets do; they shake up the order that forgets God, even those who "draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me" (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8).  With their words, the prophets honor Christ, the One who stands before the people of Nazareth and whom they only know as their old neighbor, the One they now resent and whose wisdom and mighty works are an offense to them.  Perhaps what we need to see for ourselves is how we might align with Christ and the energies -- the grace -- that fills the prophets, so that in our own lives even by simply being willing to serve we may shake up the ideas of those around ourselves.  Devotion to God, according to the Scriptures of the Bible, by no means assures us a simple and easy life, one that pleases everyone around us.  But at least, in a world that guarantees to bring some trouble to all of us, we can be assured of seeking something that is indeed worth it, for it is there we will find our joy if so our hearts desire Him as did the prophets (see John the Baptist's declaration of his joy in John 3:25).  Note the outcome of the failure to accept the grace that is offered: He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.  Here is another question for our spiritual lack of sight or hearing:  how do we know what we have missed?  

 

He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics

 

 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 not might 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.  

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. 

 

- Mark 6:1–13 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side (after the encounter with the Gadarene demoniac), a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.  And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name.  And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death.  Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.  Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians.  She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"  But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."  While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead.  Why trouble the Teacher any further?"   As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep?  The child is not dead, but sleeping."  And they ridiculed Him.  But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age.  And they were overcome with great amazement.  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

 

  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.  This double response of being both astonished and offended is something my study Bible says occurs frequently with those who encounter Christ (Luke 11:14-16; John 9:16).  Christ's rejection in his own country is a foreshadowing of His rejection by the whole Jewish nation at His trial before Pilate (John 19:14-15).  We recall that the term brother is used to refer to all manner of relations, such as cousin or nephew.  The brothers and sisters referred to by the townspeople are Jesus' kin, either children of Joseph via an earlier marriage, or other extended family.  Mary had one Child; had she had others to care for her, Jesus giving her into the care of the disciple John at the Cross would have been unthinkable (John 19:26).

 

 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 not might 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.  My study Bible comments that Jesus could do no mighty work there, not because He lacked power, but because of the unbelief of all but a few in Nazareth.  While grace is always offered to all, only those who receive it in faith obtain its benefits.  

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  These twelve are those whom He called to Himself to both live with Him and learn from Him and to become apostles (Mark 3:13).  In Greek, disciple means "learner," while apostle means "one sent out."  Here they are sent out on their first apostolic mission.  We note that here St. Mark tells us they were sent out two by two, and that St. Matthew's Gospel lists the names of the disciples in pairs (Matthew 10:2-4).  My study Bible suggests that this possibly indicates who traveled with whom.  It also notes that Jesus gave them power over unclean spirits, while Jesus Himself did so by His own power.  Note that healings are closely connected with this power, and with anointing by the apostles.  All of their actions and Christ's commands remind us of the power of the Holy Spirit at work after Pentecost.  My study Bible says that to anoint the sick with oil has not only medicinal value but sacramental value as well.  It notes that as God's healing power is bestowed through creation (Mark 5:27; Numbers 21:8-9; 2 Kings 13:21; John 9:6-7; Acts 5:15, 19:11-12), so oil is a vehicle of God's mercy and healing in the Church (James 5:14). 

In our recent readings, we have repeatedly been given opportunities to contrast fear with faith.  This was so for the apostles crossing the Sea of Galilee through a terrific storm when they were frightened for their lives.  Jesus said to them, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?"  Surely the sight of the Gadarene demoniac in the reading that followed was fearful to all, but Christ cast out the demons and returned the man to health.  In yesterday's reading and commentary, we discussed extensively the fear that must have been present for the woman who approached Jesus in secret, and also the fear of Jairus, whom Jesus told, "Do not be afraid; only believe."  In today's reading, we're given other reasons for people to fear.  Jesus is rejected in His home town of Nazareth.  The statement by Jesus, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house," is found in various forms in all four Gospels, so crucial it is to the gospel message. (See also Matthew 13:57; Luke 4:24, John 4:44.)   As my study Bible notes, this rejection is also a prefiguration of rejection by the nation, which will culminate in crucifixion.  But what is really important to note is that in Jesus' sharing of His power with the disciples, now sent out as apostles, He is teaching them to rely totally upon God.  He tells them to take nothing for the journey except a staff, they are not to take extra supplies, "no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics."   Moreover, Jesus teaches them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place."  So, in other words, they are to stay in the more humble places that will receive them first, and not "trade up" for better lodgings, as protected guests of possibly more important people.  While these men are sent out without appearing to have material power, or even great significance within the society, nonetheless Jesus is teaching them of the power that will be at work in their mission is such that "whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  Moreover, this power is manifest through healing and the anointing with oil.  But, as is evident in the rejection of Jesus in His hometown, this power remains unknown to those who cannot receive nor perceive it.   Those who do not receive nor hear the apostles are unaware of and completely insensitive to the presence of this power.  Moreover, this power is not on display to "convince" anyone, to threaten anyone, even to save Christ from the Cross.  So it is in the context of all of these factors in which we understand that the disciples are being prepared for their missions both through the frightening challenges that take them more deeply into their faith, and also through Christ's instructions which render them more dependent upon God at the same time.  This tension between fear and faith is one that grows throughout the Gospels, and perhaps we are meant to accept and understand this more deeply in our own lives as we also meet the challenges to grow in our faith.  We might find it hard to understand that anybody could find fault with Christ, and yet He meets adversity at many turns in His ministry, offending the religious establishment, the people of His hometown, and finding rejection in many places.  Perhaps it's a lesson to us that, as we live in a world of debates, endless online discussion and squabbling, forums for opinion of all sorts, faith must find its way into our own understanding of what is true and real, and what is not.   Rational argument and debate can continue forever, but faith relies on something different and deeper and more subtle.  It also relies upon courage and our capacity for the strength that comes from trust in Christ.  

Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?

 

 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

- Matthew 13:53–58 

 

In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught:  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."  Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He said to to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

 

  Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.   Jesus' own country is Nazareth in Galilee.  Although born in Bethlehem in Judea, He was brought up in Nazareth.  Note that those who've known Him as One who grew up in their town are both astonished and offended at Him.  My study Bible suggests this is a frequent occurrence in those who encounter Christ (see also Luke 4:22-30, 11:14-16; John 9:16).  Being rejected in His own country is a fulfillment of the rejection of Old Testament prophets such as Elijah and Elisha, and my study Bible comments that it foreshadows His rejection by the whole Jewish nation at His trial before Pilate (John 19:14-15).  Regarding Jesus' brothers, Mary's only child was her Son.  However, family structure in the ancient world was such that an extended family lived together by tradition.  To this day across the Near and Middle East, the term "brother" is used for cousin and a host of other relatives, as it often is in the Bible (for example, Lot is Abram's nephew, but he's called "brother" in Genesis 14:14; and Boaz calls his cousin Elimelech "brother" in Ruth 4:3).  These brothers and sisters of Jesus to whom the Nazareth townspeople refer are either children of Joseph from an earlier marriage, or they are cousins.  Indeed, when Christ puts His mother in the care of His disciple John at the Cross (John 19:26), it's an affirmation that she had no other children to care for her; otherwise such an action would have been unthinkable.  

Christ's statement, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house," is significant enough that it appears in all four Gospels (Mark 6:4, Luke 4:24, John 4:44).  Here in Matthew's Gospel, we may pause to consider that this rejection comes right after Christ's telling of the parables of the Kingdom in Matthew 13.  Particularly striking in this light are the parables which essentially are about judgment, such as the one in yesterday's reading (above).  Jesus' rejection in His hometown comes right after He's taught about the angels coming at the end of the age, and separating the good from the wicked.  Set in the context of the treasure that is the kingdom of heaven, we may consider in that light that rejection of such a gift constitutes an alienation from God.  This would be fully consistent with the Hebrew Scriptures and the understanding of the Law as given through Moses, particularly as set out in the Book of Deuteronomy.  This is explicit in Deuteronomy 30, in which blessings and curses are named as consequences by Moses, and we read of the way of life and the way of death (Deuteronomy 30:15), a theme which was significant as well in early Christian teaching (such as in the Didache, the earliest teaching document we know of in the Church).  Therefore, in the context of Jesus' preaching, the rejection of a prophet was not simply a figure of speech, but highly significant and understood to meet with serious consequences, as the whole story of Israel attested in Scripture.  So, when Jesus speaks of the rejection of a prophet, it is something of a warning, for it comes in the context of the rejection of treasure given by God (as in the theme of yesterday's parable).  His neighbors are both astonished and resentful that such "pearls" can come from the person they used to know, and who lived among them without, apparently, attracting the kind of attention He has now through His public ministry.  If we observe it, we can see that an immediate effect of this rejection is that He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.  Effectively, without faith, those works cannot be done.  Let us consider in our own lives the warnings we're given through Scripture and the teachings we know about what is good and what is not, and about what we might choose to dismiss -- even when all our neighbors might be doing the same.

 

 

 

And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me

 

 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.  And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:  The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." 

 

- Matthew 11:1–6 

 

Starting with Monday's reading, we have been given Christ's address to the Twelve as He sent them out on their first apostolic reading.  Yesterday we read that Jesus said to them, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth.  I did not come to bring peace but a sword.  For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.'  He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.  He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.  He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward.  And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.  And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." 

 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.  And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  My study Bible comments here that, according to the Church Fathers, John the Baptist asks this question in order to guide his own disciples to Jesus.  Moreover, it notes, John's own faith was undoubtedly also strengthened through Christ's response that follows.  

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:  The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."   My study Bible affirms Isaiah's prediction that these signs would accompany the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 35:5, 61:1).  Jesus' reference to these signs prophesied by Isaiah is fully meaningful to John the Baptist.  My study Bible adds that Jesus performed these miracles in the presence of John's disciples (Luke 7:21) so they could see with their own eyes works that only the Messiah could do.

 

Jesus tells the disciples of John, "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  We have to ask ourselves why people would be offended at Christ.  There is first of all the notion that people did not want to accept what kind of Messiah He was.  He was not coming in the likeness of a great king like King David, to restore the fortunes of Israel.  He did not have an army, and was not prepared to overthrow the Romans in a political battle.  He would not give "proofs" on demand of His identity, nor produce miracles simply to please people or their expectations.  Rather, He came in the likeness of an ordinary Man, one without great wealth or position, and one without conventional authority.  All of these various aspects of Christ's identity were in some way offensive to various groups of people, and particularly to the religious leadership, who continually questioned His authority and where it came from.  Perhaps the greatest reason for offense was precisely this question of authority, and simply because Christ's authority came from God, and not from worldly sources, like a high position in the temple, or a lineage that Christ would claim for Himself openly.  Instead, Christ's authority was recognized only by faith, by something that responded to God within the hearts of those who would receive Him.  He came in humility, and yet led an astonishing life of ministry.  But still, it takes faith to receive and recognize Him, it takes a true love of God in the heart to receive, a heart open to the spirit of God.  That mysterious question of faith will come up continually, again and again.  Who are the ones not offended because of Him?  This remains a question even for today. 

 

 

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them

 

 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.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. 

 

- Mark 6:1–13 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side (leaving the country of the Gadarenes), a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.  And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name.  And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death.  Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.  Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians.  She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"  But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."  While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead.  Why trouble the Teacher any further?"  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who  wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep?  The child is not dead, but sleeping."  And they ridiculed Him.  But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age.  And they were overcome with great amazement.  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

 

  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.  My study Bible comments that this double response of being both astonished and offended is a frequent occurrence with those who encounter Christ (Luke 11:14-16; John 9:16).  Jesus rejection in His own country is a foreshadowing of His rejection by the whole nation at His trial before Pilate (John 19:14-15).  The use of the word brother in Scripture is not limited to blood siblings.  In Jewish usage (and indeed, today across the Middle East), "brother" can indicate a number of relations.  My study Bible points out that Abram called his nephew Lot "brother" (Genesis 14:14); Boaz spoke of his cousin Elimelech as his "brother" (Ruth 4:3); and Joab called his cousin Amasa "brother" (2 Samuel 20:9).  In accordance with the understanding of the Church, Christ Himself had no blood brothers, for Mary had only one Son:  Jesus.  The brothers mentioned here are either stepbrothers (that is, sons of Joseph by a previous marriage), or cousins.  One must observe also that Jesus commits His mother to the care of John at the Cross (John 19:25-27); in the context of the culture this would have been unthinkable if Mary had had other children to care for her.  

 

 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.  This important saying, that a prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house, appears in all four Gospels (see also Matthew 13:57, Luke 4:24; John 4:44).  My study Bible explains that Jesus could do no mighty work there, not because He lacked power, but because of the unbelief of all but a few in Nazareth.  It notes that while grace is always offered to all, only those who receive it in faith obtain its benefits.

 

 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  The twelve are known both as disciples and apostles;  in Greek, the word for disciple (μαθητής/mathetes) means "learner" or "student," while the word for apostles (ἀπόστολος/apostolos) means "one sent out" (as on a mission).  The terms are often used interchangeably for the twelve (see Matthew 10:1-2).  Here Jesus gave them power over unclean spirits, and also to heal (see verse 13), while Christ performs miracles and great works by His own power.  

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.   My study Bible says that anointing the sick with oil has not only medicinal value but sacramental value as well.  It notes that as God's healing power is bestowed through creation (Mark 5:27; Numbers 21:8-9; 2 Samuel 13:21; John 9:6-7; Acts 5:15, 19:11-12), so oil is also a vehicle of God's mercy and healing in the Church (James 5:14).  

I am intrigued by the use of healing oil.  We see its tradition already present in the very early Church in the verse my study Bible notes (James 5:14).  But we can also look at a significant passage in the New Testament as well in a story told by Christ, that of the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).  In that parable, the Samaritan poured oil and wine on the wounds of a man beaten by robbers, a stranger whom he had befriended.  While a very high quality virgin olive oil formed the base for expensive perfumes as well as unguents and medicines in the ancient world, the oil has another, spiritual meaning within the Church.  That lies in the word for the olive oil, ἔλαιον/elaion, which is pronounced virtually the same as the word for mercy, ἔλεος/eleos.  This word is the basis for the refrain that punctuates so much of our worship, Lord have mercy (Κύριε ἐλέησόν/Kyrie eleison).  So, in the parable of the Good Samaritan, the word for the oil used to bandage and heal the hurt man echoes in the words used to grasp the point of the parable.  Jesus asks the lawyer to whom He told the parable which of the men in the story was neighbor to the man who fell among thieves.  And the lawyer replied, "He who showed mercy on him."  Jesus then tell him (and us), "Go and do likewise."  So "oil" and "mercy" are intertwined as concepts in Christ's teaching.  Moreover, when we call upon the Lord in the phrase "Lord have mercy" (Kyrie elieson), we understand that we are calling upon the grace of God, and the action of the Holy Spirit, to come into our lives in whatever way is necessary for any type of healing -- spiritual, physical, emotional, or otherwise.  So this blessed oil, the oil of unction, is by tradition in the Church a powerful healing tool and sacrament.  It is also the same oil (called chrism) which is used in Baptism.  Baptism and Unction as administered to heal the sick are both considered to be healing sacraments; they remain in use in the tradition of the Orthodox and other denominations.  From today's reading, we can see that this has been the case since the very first mission of the apostles.  I dearly love what the note in my study Bible says, that God's healing power is bestowed through creation.  In the Incarnation, God became also human, making for us the fullness of the icon of God working through creation.  It is said that we glimpse Creator through God's creations.  When we consider the beauty of the world, let us consider the healing power of God and marvel at the wonders we're given:  Christ shares His power with human beings, the apostles, and creation becomes the vehicle for God's healing grace, through faith.