Jesus Again Preaches in His Home Town
On leaving that place, Jesus, followed by his disciples, went to his own part of the country. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the Synagogue; and the people, as they listened, were deeply impressed.
“Where did he get this?” they said, “and what is this wisdom that has been given him? and these miracles which he is doing? Is not he the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters, too, living here among us?”
This proved a hindrance to their believing in him; on which Jesus said:
“A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relations, and in his own home.”
And he could not work any miracle there, beyond placing his hands upon a few infirm persons, and curing them; and he wondered at the want of faith shown by the people.
The Mission of the Twelve Apostles
Jesus went round the villages, one after another, teaching. He called the Twelve to him, and began to send them out as his Messengers, two and two, and gave them authority over foul spirits. He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey—not even bread, or a bag, or pence in their purse; but they were to wear sandals, and not to put on a second coat.
“Whenever you go to stay at a house,” he said, “remain there till you leave that place; and if a place does not welcome you, or listen to you, as you go out of it shake off the dust that is on the soles of your feet, as a protest against them.” So they set out, and proclaimed the need of repentance. They drove out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were infirm, and cured them.
—Mark.
Nothing of worth or weight can be achieved with half a mind, with a faint heart, and with a lame endeavor.
—Isaac Barrow.