Today's Gospel in Art - A prophet is only despised in his own country

Nazareth, April 28th 1839, by David Roberts 1842 © Christian Art Today

Gospel of 5th February 2020 - Mark 6:1-6

Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, 'Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?' And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house'; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Reflection on the Watercolour on Paper

French novelist and member of the Académie Française wrote: 'It is baffling to record that, for a period of thirty years, the Son of Man did not appear to be anything other than a man'. His fellow citizens of Nazareth, therefore must have been excited to see Jesus again after He started His ministry. Jesus for 30 years ate with them, played with them, fixed tables for them… yet when Jesus comes back on his tour of Galilee visiting Nazareth, they reject Him! How strange. He is surrounded by people who have known him all his life, who saw him grow from childhood to adulthood, who regard him as one of their own. But they don't accept Him anymore as one of theirs…...

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