By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14356713

I am going to really age myself here…………………..oh, well it is a fact I have crossed over the top of the hill.  When I was a pre-teen I loved to go to camp for two weeks in the summer and live in a tent, hike, swim in the lake, canoe, sail, make new friends, and be away from three younger siblings.  (I would have made a great only child!  Not proud of this.  It is just the truth if I ever told it.)  While at camp, I could receive packages in the mail and my Mamma would send homemade chocolate chip cookies, gum, letters, and comic books.  Yes, I said comic books.  My favorite was Blondie and Dagwood comics by Chic Young.  This comic is still published in newspapers today if you can find a newspaper in print form.  The thing about this comic is the way the character of Dagwood Bumstead would always state the painfully obvious facts.  Today, we ask the question: “Are you that dense?”  “Like what about the situation do you not get?”  or “Really?”   Sometimes we just shake our heads because those around us like Dagwood just are missing the point.  It can be quite exasperating, can it not?

In Mark’s gospel, a verse in the sixth chapter reads: “And He marvelled because of their unbelief.  And went round about the villages teaching.”  (Mark 6:6)  The Greek for marvelled is thaumazo which is also defined as amazed at, astonished, and surprised.  Jesus is scratching His head because people are not “getting” who He is and what He is trying to do.  This may exhibit His humanity more than any other response we have seen!   The verse just prior tells us He could not do any of His mighty works except in a few cases of healing the sick because He was not even welcomed in His own house, among His own family, or in His own country!  (Mark 6:5)

Can you even begin to imagine the frustration this trial must have caused.  Yes! You can!  We have all known those people who just cannot see the cold, hard facts of a situation because they have already made up their minds about a person, a situation, or an event.  Just like people calling Jesus a demon because He cast out demons.  Now this does not even make sense!  (Matthew 12:24)

Instead of getting mad (my general response to in my mind what is apparent stupidity and “in our family we don’t do stupid”) Jesus, on the other hand, simply left and went somewhere else to serve and teach and heal and bring relief from the oppression of religion and the evil of a fallen world to those looking for Him.  (Matthew 9:35)  He did so because of His heart of compassion for people.  All people not just His people.   His prayer was for others to come alongside Him and spread the love and the message of the kingdom. (Matthew 9:38)   Note to self:  mad is not helpful, moving on is!  Jesus did not beg and plead and try to please and impress.  He did not try to shove His message down their blinded throats.  He just went where people were looking for Him and the answers to the prayers of their desperate hearts He could answer.

Are you standing on your head to have someone “come to Jesus?”  Maybe, we should follow Jesus example.  Have you prayed for someone for so long you cannot even remember how long it has been?  Are you thinking the Father is deaf?  Are you frantic because you feel misunderstood?  Are you tired of jumping through the religious hoops of visitation, church attendance awards, living a prescribed life so everyone recognizes you “are a Christian”?  Can I like Dagwood state the painfully obvious to myself?  THIS IS NOT NECESSARY OR NEEDED!

Jesus said, “whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.”  (Matthew 10:14)

Today, may we break the chain of performance based religion and just follow Jesus.  Really?  Yes, really!  It is ALL He asked us to do.  Follow me.  (Matthew 4:19)  BTW this was more for me than anyone!  I am legally Blondie!  May we not cause the Savior to shake His head at our unbelief.

Treading with the Bumsteads,

https://youtu.be/GYXJmnJCPG0

With All I Am by Hillsong