Sunday
School Lessons
Commentary by Walter Albritton
March 23
Jesus Refused to let Rejection Deter Him from His Mission
Mark 6:1-13
Key Verse: Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without
honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
– Mark 6:4
Rejection is a
terrible thing. It can handcuff us. It can lead to disappointment and
self-pity. It can demoralize us. It may even cause us to give up our Christian
walk.
God knows this about
us. He knows our weaknesses. He knows what grievous influence rejection can
have upon our lives.
Knowing our nature,
God has gloriously provided all we need to win our personal battles with
rejection. God’s provision is clearly the example of our Lord Jesus! When his
own family and the people of his hometown rudely rejected him, Jesus refused to
allow their rejection to deter him from his mission.
Jesus must have been
hurt to have his own family turn their backs on him. Any of us would have been
deeply disappointed not to have the support of our family for a godly mission. The best of us would have tempted to have a
pity party. But not Jesus! “Give up” was not in his vocabulary. Self-pity was
out of the question.
Our Lord’s reason for
coming back to
The sober reality of
this event is that when the people rejected Jesus, he moved on to other
villages. Had the people expressed faith in Jesus, he would have done “mighty
works” among them. Refusing to recognize that Jesus was the Son of God, the
people denied themselves the blessings that were available to them for the
asking.
This remains true to
this hour. God requires faith if we are to experience the transforming power of
Jesus in our lives. The Bible teaches us: “without faith, it is impossible to
please God.” Moreover, without our faith the living Christ is unable to do the
mighty works of grace that we need to live life to the fullest.
In our pride, we like
to think that we can live as we choose, and finally turn to God when it is
convenient. It is true that God is patient and always merciful to those who
call upon him. There is, however, another side to this coin, which Isaiah
alludes to in his haunting words:
“Seek the Lord while he
may be found; call on him while he is near” (55:6).
On that day in
A second lesson may be
drawn from this scripture. We too are often rejected by others who oppose our
efforts to fulfill the mission of God in our lives. Indeed, rejection comes
with the territory, like fleas on the dog.
Peter and John were
rejected, to the point of being beaten and jailed. But they refused to quit.
Down through the ages,
the great saints of God have been rejected. They too are examples that can
encourage us to keep on keeping on when we are tempted to give up.
John Wesley faced
constant opposition to his ministry, to the extent that, denied access to
preach in some churches, he resorted to proclaiming the gospel in the open
fields.
In every age, God has
called people to be his witnesses. He has sent them out to share the good news
with others. The plan has not changed. Jesus sent his disciples out two by two
back then. He still sends out those who will go, who have the backbone to be
faithful even without the support of family and friends.
The scriptures teach
us that not everyone who hears will receive the gospel in faith. Some will
respond with hostility, refusing to believe. Still, our mission is clear.
Despite rejection, we must offer Christ to the world. By the grace of God, we
can do so faithfully, without caving in to disappointment and self-pity.
Remembering his
example will help steady us in this solemn resolve. + + +