the 6th sunday after pentecost
the PRAYER …
God of the covenant, in our baptism you call us to proclaim the coming of your kingdom. Give us the courage you gave the apostles, that we may faithfully witness to your love and peace in every circumstance of life, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
the READING …
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! 3Is 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. mark 6:1-13
the DEVOTION …
“If God had a name what would it be? / And would you call it to his face? / If you were faced with Him in all His glory / What would you ask if you had just one question?” That’s how the song begins. “One of Us” by Joan Osborne. What does god look like? How would we know god if we passed on the street? Halo? White robe? Long hair? Beard? They don’t know it, but that’s the dilemma in which Jesus’ neighbors find themselves, this week. And all they saw was Jesus, not god …
Jesus, the carpenter! Jesus, Mary’s son! Jesus, James’ and Joses’ and Judas’ and Simon’s brother! Jesus, the brother of sisters Mark didn’t bother to number or to name! The whole town knew him! They’d always known him! From the very beginning! And, to tell the truth, they weren’t all that impressed! How’s the refrain go? “What if God was one of us? / Just a slob like one of us / Just a stranger on the bus / Tryin’ to make his way home?” They just couldn’t get past the idea that god could – or would – actually, be one of them! So, when all was done and said, Jesus was amazed at their unbelief. At their unbelief in god, to be sure. But even more, at their unbelief in themselves! At their unbelief in each other!