Mark 6:1-6  Mark gives us a look at Nazareth.. the place where Jesus grew up, along with His mother, Mary and His brothers and sisters.  These people "knew" Jesus as the carpenter.. as a son to Mary and a sibling to 4 brothers and some sisters.  But.. they did not believe that Jesus was anything more than that. 

"He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished.. "  Astonished.. but also offended. He felt their disrespect and unbelief deeply.. " A prophet is not without honor except in his home town and among his own relatives and in his own household."   Because of their unbelief Jesus did not do many miracles in Nazareth.  He healed "a few sick people".. those who had faith... but left without doing anything more. 

Jesus continued to teach in villages around Galilee, but sadly Nazareth lost out on the greatest blessings that could have been theirs.. the Messiah was within reach and they missed Him. 

This picture.. that Mark and the other gospels paint for us.. makes me sad. 4 brothers.. James, Joses, Judas, and Simon.. and who knows how many sisters.. rejected their own Brother.  We know that it is only after His death and resurrection that His brothers come into His Kingdom. Acts 1:14 "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus and with His brothers."  We know that James became a leader of the church after Pentecost.  We can read his book and also the book called "Jude" which is believed to be written by the brother whom Mark calls Judas.  I wonder what happened to Joses ( or Joseph) and Simon?  And what about their sisters?  Did they also come to believe?  I hope so.. I would love to hear their stories.. 

How does this help us to know Jesus more and more?  I had 6 brothers and 2 sisters.  They mean the world to me.. yet not all were believers. One I never knew for he died when he was a baby.. the first born for my parents.  3 others have passed away since then.. and only 1 of those believed in Jesus.. as far as I know.  The other 2.. I do not know.. but I prayed that they would come to Christ before they died and my hope is in Christ that He met them and brought them to Himself before it was too late.  I know that Jesus loved His siblings and that He knows how much I love mine.  I love this passage because it reminds me of how precious family is to Jesus.. and that gives me hope for my own. 

Father in heaven, it is pure joy when we see our families walking in the Truth.. loving Jesus and serving Him with their words and deeds. I plead with You to bring all of my family into Your Kingdom.. open their eyes and stir their hearts Holy Spirit, I pray.. in Jesus' name . Amen.