- Story of Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth and sending out the twelve to preach and to work miracles.- Three basic points: Jesus causes offence. Prepare to be offended by Jesus. Prepare to offend and to be rejected.1) Jesus causes offence- Jesus preaches well. Instead of positive reaction, suspicion: “Where did he get these things?” And insult: “Isn’t this the son of Mary?” Not Joseph, ie a b*****d.- And they took offence at him: skandalizo.- Particular offence: Jesus from ordinary place, familiar figure, scandal of birth.- General offence: Christ subverts expectations and sensibilities.2) Prepare to be offended by Jesus- Detail in story: ‘He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick peopleand healed them’ (Mark 6:5).- Humility before Christ calls forth blessing.- What do you find difficult/offensive? “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” Matt. 11:63) Prepare to offend and to be rejectedFaithfulness to Christ may be an offence.- Avoid obnoxiousness.- Offence a byproduct of faithfulness. Christ committed to goodness and truth. Not everyone is.Rejected with Christ. Accepted by the Father.- Rejection can be terrible- The cross of Christ: ‘He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief’ (Isaiah 53:3).- Christ found identity in love of the Father: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).- We are children of the Father too: ‘See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now…’ (1 John 3:1-2).- Christ instructed disciples: “If any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them” (Mark 6:11).- Not in anger, but resolution to care fundamentally about what God wants.Basic Idea:- Allow yourself to be offended by Christ.- Don’t worry about offending others for his sake.- Find your identity in the love of God and your status as his child.
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