Past

Jesus left that place and came to his hometown. His disciples followed him. ² On the Sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were surprised. “Where did this man get all this? What’s this wisdom he’s been given? What about the powerful acts accomplished through him? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t he Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They were repulsed by him and fell into sin. ⁴ Jesus said to them, “Prophets are honored everywhere except in their own hometowns, among their relatives, and in their own households.” ⁵ He was unable to do any miracles there, except that he placed his hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶ He was appalled by their disbelief. Then Jesus traveled through the surrounding villages teaching. ⁷ He called for the Twelve and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority over unclean spirits. ⁸ He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a walking stick—no bread, no bags, and no money in their belts. ⁹ He told them to wear sandals but not to put on two shirts. ¹⁰ He said, “Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. ¹¹ If a place doesn’t welcome you or listen to you, as you leave, shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.” ¹² So they went out and proclaimed that people should change their hearts and lives. ¹³ They cast out many demons, and they anointed many sick people with olive oil and healed them. (Mark 6:1-13, CEB)

I always found this passage interesting because Jesus couldn’t really do anything in his hometown because everyone was saying who they remembered him as and wasn’t seeing him for who he is now. Even though who he is now is who he was then, even though they didn’t see that then.

But as I read the passage today, I was reminded of something I saw a few days ago.

We judge people by how we knew them. And we wonder how they can be doing these things.

We need to stop looking at people like we know them. Only God truly knows them and how they have changed.

So do not judge a person by their past, and see for them for who they are today. And share God’s love along the way.

Love People. Love God.