Jesus the Healer: Rejected by the Hometown Crowd

Familiarity breeds contempt. ~a well-known saying

Welcome dear friend, to a series on the healing stories of Jesus. The root of the word healing in New Testament Greek, sozo, is the same as that of salvation and wholeness.  (UM Book of Worship) 

I invite you to enter into a time of Lectio Divina, deep prayer with scripture, as we explore one of the healing stories of Jesus.  Gather your journal if you have one, your bible and something to write with or simply use your computer, I've provided everything you need.

The saying, "familiarity breeds contempt," means that sometimes when we get close to people, when we know them really well we have looked closely enough to find their flaws and weaknesses.  In most cases this doesn't bother us for we have flaws and weaknesses too.  But just let that person get ahead of us and we'll do anything to tear them down OR at least to level the playing field.  I guess that is often our human condition.  It happens.  In our passage for this week this saying came to me immediately as I began to read deeply.  In this Jesus story I think  the people just were not able to grasp that someone who grew up in such an ordinary way as Jesus did, could actually be so "extraordinarily gifted," a renowned healer.  Go figure!  Their questions do not bring them wisdom or deepen their faith because they were not real questions, they were a sarcastic commentary.  Perhaps jealousy has brought them to that place of contempt, which means, "feeling that a person or thing is beneath consideration."  Their prejudice against Jesus robbed them of healing, blessing and good will.  Jesus was amazed at their unbelief.  

What a fascinating passage this one is!  It invites me to think about the role of belief and unbelief in miracles and the healing process.  And that makes me uncomfortable because I don't really believe that we are "rewarded" for our beliefs ... I don't really believe that the spiritual life can be envisioned as a score card or that God is the big vending machine in the sky, answering our prayers depending on how much or how often or how beautifully we pray. I have known way too many good, faithful, believing followers of Christ who did not receive the miracle they so desperately sought, and that I thought they deserved to get. Sometimes, I see their faith growing ever deeper through their "unsuccessful" experience, and they grow closer to God.  Here is what I do believe, however.  I believe that prayer, meditation, and a positive attitude can help or hinder our own natural healing process.  In this case, perhaps they were unable to receive what Jesus was offering because they just couldn't open themselves to the possibilities.   So ... what do you believe?  Let us offer what we believe, our real questions, our struggles and our doubts to God with open hearts and minds so we can hear what God is saying to us through this passage.  

Take a moment to begin with a "Breath Prayer."

Breathing in ... Healing Jesus

Breathing out ... I believe!  Help my unbelief!

Repeat your breath prayer until you feel relaxed and centered

Pray for illumination of the text, use this one or pray what emerges from within you:   Healing Jesus, sometimes I falter.  Sometimes, I am guilty of doubts and unbelief.  Sometimes, rather than struggle I give up with the words, "it must be God's will."  Help me in my struggles to continue to keep the faith and open up to the possibilities of healing in situations I think are impossible.   Amen.

1.  Lectio/Read:   Mark 6:1-6 (NET)

As you read, perhaps there is a word or phrase that will draw you to it.  Pay attention to the questions the hometown crowd are asking.  Listen to their doubts.  Be still and listen to your own doubts  How is God drawing your attention into this passage?  Simply sit with your word or phrase and be grateful.

Now Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did he get these ideas? And what is this wisdom that has been given to him? What are these miracles that are done through his hands? Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” And so they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, and among his relatives, and in his own house.” He was not able to do a miracle there, except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed because of their unbelief. Then he went around among the villages and taught.

14th-century fresco from the Visoki Decani Monastery, Kosovo, Serbia (public domain)

 2. Meditatio/Meditation 

Read the text a second time.  You may find that the same word or phrase has energy for you, but you may also find that another word has become more alive with meaning.  Pay attention to the energy emanating from within the passage and consider how it illuminates your life right now.  Is God calling you to deepen your faith and your prayers for healing?  If so, take your word or phrase and write freely for as you are being drawn.  Pay special attention to how God is speaking to you about your doubts and your belief.  Don't think about what you are writing as you let God lead you deeper.

3. Oratio/Pray  Read the text a third time.  Then read your own writing if you wrote anything.  Are there any connections you can make between what you read and the writing that flowed from your reading?  How do you respond to what you perceive God is saying to you?   How does this passage call upon you to let go of doubts you may have and believe more deeply in the healing grace of Jesus in your life and the lives of others?   What do you want to say to God about what you are hearing?  Take a moment to write again in your journal or on your computer as a prayer in response to what you have heard.

 

4. Contemplatio/Contemplation
Take a moment to pause.  Allow your breath prayer to emerge again.  You can use the same one from the beginning or perhaps a new one will emerge for you.  As you continue to pray, let the words fade away into silence. Spend time simply "be"ing with God.

Breathing in ... Healing Jesus
Breathing out ... Immerse my lingering doubts in your grace
Repeat your breath prayer until it fades into silence ...

Allow your experience of praying with this healing story of Jesus to come to a close when you are ready to move on.  Let the Spirit lead you and guide you into the presence of God as you engage your life as a loving and healing presence to others.

Close with a prayer to send yourself into the world, use this one or pray what emerges from within you:  Oh Healing Jesus, I am amazed at your grace and mercy.  Help me overcome any doubts I may have about your love as I meditate in the stillness.  Help me see the miracles you bring to life every day.  Amen.