True Humbleness

Mark 6:1–6

[1] He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. [2] And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? [3] Is 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. [4] And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” [5] And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. [6] And he marveled because of their unbelief.

And he went about among the villages teaching. (ESV)

Of those who have walked this earth, if there was anyone who could have made himself known and believed, it was Jesus. Yet he chose to submit himself to the Father and be revealed in the Father’s time. Even the disciples, who lived and learned from him for three years, didn’t comprehend who Jesus was until his death and resurrection. Jesus exposed who he was through countless miracles and by what he said, yet only a handful of people genuinely believed, and even they weren’t sure when Jesus was arrested and crucified.

So why do so many people, pastors included, spend so much time and energy on marketing themselves? What is it about mankind feeling the need to be know by everyone, when they are known by Jesus?