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The role and nature of Christian discipleship - CCEAThe challenge of witnessing (Mark 6: 1–6)

Jesus chose his twelve disciples to preach, perform exorcisms and to be with him. They faced many pressures and challenges in their role.

Part of Religious StudiesChristianity through a study of the Gospel of Mark

The challenge of witnessing (Mark 6: 1–6)

Jesus grew up in Nazareth, but the people there did not recognise his importance.

They would have known his family very well and would have seen him as a carpenter. They would have found it difficult to listen to him preaching as they watched him grow from a child to a man.

Jesus realised this and said, “Prophets are respected everywhere except in their own home town and by their relatives and family.”

Jesus was unable to perform any miracles in Nazareth because of the lack of faith of the people. This rejection in his hometown would be only a fraction of the rejection that he faced in Jerusalem during his and death.