Mark 6 begins with a sad, but true commentary on life. 

6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 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, that he even does miracles! 3 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. 4 Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”  5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Can you imagine being from Jesus’ hometown & taking offense at him.  Maybe it’s because they were too familiar with him.  As Shannon ODell shared with our staff this past week: “Commonality breeds disloyalty.”

I’ve had a similar experience as related in Mark 6.  I’ve had friends from my past tell me they could never come to my church because they know too much about me.  The sad thing is – they lacked the faith to realize the miracle God has done in my life.  They couldn’t get past my past (naturally), but they failed to realize the supernatual change God can make in someone’s life – including ME.

Listen – if someone in your past has experienced life-change as a result of their relationship with Jesus Christ — let go of those past memories and thank God for the miracle in them.   You might want to listen to them too, because God may have something significant to say to you through them.  Respond to them in faith – not doubt.