Trip to Nazareth Pt.1

“Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.” (Mark 6:1-3)

Reflecting on Mark 6:1-3, I find myself puzzled. Imagine being Jesus, a miracle-worker, returning to your hometown—full of familiar faces and shared memories. He stands in the synagogue, speaking with wisdom and authority, captivating the crowd. Yet, instead of admiration, doubt lingers in the air.

Why would they doubt Jesus? This was his hometown! They’d grown up with him—played games together, worked side by side in the fields, and admired his skills as a carpenter. He wasn’t just extraordinary; he was perfect! They saw it with their own eyes. But somehow, they couldn’t connect the Jesus they knew with the idea of a Savior.

Why? Because familiarity can make faith hard. When we think we know everything about someone, it becomes difficult to see them differently. Doubt creeps in. It’s hard to love fully or believe in miracles when we’ve stripped away all mystery.

For Jesus, this skepticism was deeply painful. In Nazareth, the people couldn’t embrace his divinity, and their lack of faith limited what he could do there. Their disbelief wasn’t about him—it reflected their own struggles and insecurities. Their town slogan was, “Nothing good comes from us.” (John 1:46)

Rejection like that hurts. It’s hard to open up when those closest to you don’t see or accept you. I’ve felt that pain myself. Maybe you have, too. But here’s the comfort: even Jesus faced rejection. The Son of God, perfect in every way, was turned away by the people who should’ve known him best.

This reminds us of something important: when someone fails to accept you, it’s not a reflection of your worth. It’s often about their own struggles. Even Jesus couldn’t please everyone, and that’s okay.

Take heart—your worth doesn’t depend on anyone else’s acceptance. Your Heavenly Father embraces you fully, and that’s all the validation you need.