Our Lord's Second Rejection at Nazareth Matthew 9:27-34; Mark 6:1-6

(Compare Matthew 13:54-58)

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS

1. Our Lord's Power Over Blindness, Matt. 9:27-31 What miracle had our Lord just performed? (Matt. 9:23-26.) Whither was He going? (Mark 5:43-6:1.) What occurred as He passed along the way? How did these blind men show their earnestness? How did they show their faith? Did He seem to pay any attention to them at first? Why not? As whom did the blind men recognize Him? Had that anything to do with their expecting Him to open their eyes? Was there any Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would open the eyes of the blind? (Is. 29:18; 35:5; 42:6, 7.)

What is the significance of the title "Son of David"? (Matt. 12:23; 15:22; 20:30, 31; 21:9, 15; 22:41-45; Is. 7:13, 14; 9:6, 7; 11:14; Jer. 23:5, 6; Ezek. 34:23, 24; Amos 9:11.) What characteristic did the blind men display in following Him right into the house? What question did He put to them? What was the purpose of that question? What is the one condition that He demands of us if we would realize experimentally the fulfillment of His promises and the enjoyment of His power? (Luke 1:45; Jas. 1:5-7.)

What was the answer of the blind men to His question? Would you be as ready to say yes if the Lord should put the question to you? What question does He put to us concerning all the blessings that we seek of Him? Why is it that we do not more often get what we seek? How much is He able to do? How much do you believe that He is able to do for you? What did He do as soon as they said: "Yes, Lord"? What did He say? What principle is taught in these words? (8:6, 7, 13; 15:28; Mark 10:52.)

Why do we not enjoy more of His grace and power? What was the result of His touch? Has it similar power today? Has it that power for the body today? Has it power for anything besides the body? Who is it that opens the eyes of the blind? (Ps. 146:8.) Who then was our Lord? What command did He lay upon the men whose eyes He had opened? What was the purpose of that charge? (Matt. 12:16-21; Mark 1:44, 45.) What characteristic of our Lord is brought out by the charge? 2. Our Lord's Power Over Demons, Matt. 9:32-34 With whom next that needed His help was our Lord brought in contact?

What does the word translated "devil" really mean? (See R. V. margin.) What is a demon? Is there such a thing as demon possession today? What was the result of this demon's influence over the man? What is the best thing to do with those who are possessed with demons of any kind? What did the man do after the demon was cast out? Can our Lord make those who are dumb from any other cause to speak? (Ex. 4:11, 12.) What prophecy was fulfilled in His giving this man power to speak? (Is. 35:6.)

What was the comment of the multitude? What explanation did the Pharisees give? Did they ever give a similar explanation of other miracles? (Matt. 12:22-24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:14, 15.) Why? Was it a rational explanation? What did it reveal as to the state of their own hearts? (John 3:20.) 3. Our Lord Limited by Unbelief, Mark 6:1-6 To what city did our Lord now go? How had He been treated the last time He was there? (Luke 4:16-30.) Why did He go again? How did His disciples show their loyalty?

What did He do in His own town? Why? On what day? Why on that day? Was He in the habit of teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath? (Mark 1:21, 39; Luke 4:15, 16, 31, 32.) Who followed His example in this? (Acts 17:2.) What was the effect of His teaching? What question did they ask about it? Was that an important question? What is His own answer? (John 7:15, 16; 12:49; 14:10, 11, 24.) Is this a reasonable answer? Is there any other possible answer? What second question did they ask?

What was the wisdom that was given unto Him? (Col. 2:3.) What third question did they ask? What did these "mighty works" mean? (John 14:10, 11; 3:2.) What fourth question did they ask about Him? What was its meaning as they asked it? (Matt. 13:55, 56; Is. 49:7; 53:2, 3; 1 Peter 2:4.) Was it any disgrace to our Lord that He had been a carpenter? What has He sanctified and made honorable by being a carpenter? Had Mary borne any children beside Him? (Matt 12:46; 1 Cor. 9:5; Gal. 1:19; John 7:5.)

What were the names of His brothers? (See R. V.) Had He sisters as well? Where were all these living? What were they doing? What did the fact that one out of their own town had risen to such a height of divine favor and power cause His town's people to do? (v. 3, R. V. margin.) What prophecy was thus fulfilled? (Luke 2:34.) Where did they stumble at Him most of all? (Luke 4:23-29.) Is He a stumbling block to any today? What is it about Him that especially causes men to stumble today? (1 Cor. 1:23.)

What was His own explanation of the attitude taken toward Him by His own people? (v. 4.) Had He ever said this before? (Luke 4:24; John 4:43, 44.) Where? Why is it that a prophet is without honor in his own country? What characteristic of the human heart does this reveal? What effect did the unbelief of the people have upon our Lord? Does our unbelief ever limit Him? Why is it He does not do greater things for us? (9:23; Matt. 13:58.) Is there anything else that hinders God doing His best for us beside our unbelief? (Is. 59:1, 2.)

Did their unbelief prevent our Lord doing any good there? Does the general unbelief of people today prevent Him from accomplishing anything in a place? How did He regard their unbelief? Is He anywhere recorded as having marvelled at anything beside unbelief? (Matt. 8:10.) Which does He find the most to marvel at today--incredible unbelief or unusual faith? CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS

1. Jesus Christ

(1). What He was:

Divine, 29, 32, 33; human, 3; Son of David, the Messiah, 27; Lord, 28; Son of Mary, a carpenter, 3; humble, avoiding publicity, 30; without honor in His own country, 4; limited by unbelief, 5.

(2). What He had:

Power over sickness, 27-30, 5; power over demons, 32, 33; power to work mighty works, 2; power to make the blind to see, 27-30; power to make the dumb to speak, 32, 33; wisdom from God, 2; a human mother, brothers and sisters, 3.

(3). What He did:

Taught in the synagogues, 2; opened the eyes of the blind, 29, 30; unstopped the mouth of the dumb, 32, 33; cast out demons, 32-34; what He was asked, 28, 31; what men believed for, 28, 29; loved His own people, 1-6; shunned publicity, 30; marvelled at unbelief, 6.

(4). How He was treated:

Followed by his disciples, 1; by those in need, 27; honored by the blind, 27-31; by the dumb, 32, 33; by the multitude, 31; sneered at, stumbled at by His town's people, 3; blasphemed by the Pharisees, 34.

2. Faith and Unbelief

(1). Faith:

Necessary to blessing, 28; largeness of blessing measured by the degree of faith, 29; brings opening to the eyes, 29, 30.

(2). Unbelief:

Limits Jesus Christ, 5; marvelled at by Jesus Christ, 6.

(3). The natural man.

Blind, 27; dumb, demon-possessed, 32; stubborn in unbelief, blasphemous, 34.