The Sixth Sunday after Trinity
“What deeds of power are being done by his hands!”
Summary
Who the hell does he think he is? This is the welcome Jesus receives from his hometown in Mark 6:1-13. Everyone is astounded by his wisdom and his actions but instead of being delighted they are suspicious and offended: He is just a poor carpenter from a poor family. Where, they ask, did this man get all this? Surely all this healing and miracles and wisdom does not come from him. In the second half of the passage Jesus sends out his disciples. He instructs them to take little with them but to rely on the hospitality of strangers. They, like Jesus before them, spread peace and healing. Not by their own skills or knowledge but because God has chosen to work through them. God has a preference for using those we least expect to bring in his kingdom: those with little power or authority in the eyes of the world. In case we mistake the work of God for something else; in case we place our trust in success and status and not in God. This morning we will be baptising Jack. Jack is too young to even know how to talk yet he too will be anointed with God’s spirit to do the work of leading, healing and serving God’s people. He too will be given the kingdom and sent out to bear Christ’s light in the world. In his infancy, he is a symbol that none of us have the gifts or talents necessary for the task God gives us, yet God will work through us if we are willing. God can and will use our strengths but how much more will God use our weaknesses, if only we would let Her.
GOSPEL
Mark 6.1-13
He left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
