Mark’s Gospel follows a repeating pattern. Early in a chapter, people misunderstand Jesus. At the end of the chapter, people see Jesus for who he is. In the first two verses of this chapter, people are impressed with their hometown boy. He taught in the synagogue he had attended while growing up, “and many who heard him were amazed,” (verse 2).

The people acknowledged his wisdom and remarkable miracles. They could not, however, get over the fact of who he was. “And they took offense at him,” (verse 3). 

The result was few miracles and a paucity of life-saving, soul-cleansing faith (verses 5 and 6). 

Welcome home to Nazareth, Jesus. 

Glance down the page and notice this is the chapter where Jesus feeds the five thousand. This is also the chapter where Jesus walks on water. Yet those who knew him best, or so they thought, limited him, dismissed him. 

It is foolish to dismiss Jesus. 

These people were amazed, but not in a good way (verse 2). They were not amazed like others who had heard his wisdom and seen his miracles (1:22; 5:20). Ultimately, it was Jesus who was negatively amazed at their lack of faith (verse 6). 

The low-hanging fruit of application is to ask, “When Jesus thinks of you, and he does, is he positively or negatively amazed?”

The more important question is, “To you, who is Jesus?” Is he the carpenter, the architect who knew how to maximize wood and stone in the building how homes, sheds, mangers, and crossbeams? Or is he God in the flesh ready and able to rebuild and restore your life now and forever? 

This is the ultimate question of life. Through what kind of amazement do you view Jesus?