[Jesus] left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 0n 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 offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that. And he was amazed at their unbelief. And he went out among the villages teaching. (Mark 6:1-6)

I have spent the last few days at home. Not my own home with my husband and children, but my childhood home. My two sisters and I, along with my daughter and my niece, are visiting my parents for the weekend. You’ve probably heard people say that as soon as they go home, no matter how old they are, they are the become 15 years old again. It’s comforting to know that this also happened to Jesus.

When he visited Nazareth, his home town, Jesus was grown up, and deep into his ministry, but people still couldn’t fathom who he was. They were astounded by his wisdom and power. They were even offended that this “kid,” the carpenter’s son, would presume to teach in the synagogue.

Jesus was more gracious, of course, than most of us might be. He acknowledged their lack of belief, and even while they scorned him and pushed him away, “he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them” before he left town. He didn’t get angry, or discouraged. He loved them for who they were, blessed them, and went on his way.

Maybe we should follow his example, but surely we should give thanks for his love. We are all, at one time or another, the people from his town who can’t believe. But still he touches us and heals us and then he goes out, in us, among the villages.