Mark 6:1-6: Jesus of Nazareth
Diego Velázquez: Christ Crucified – The Prado Museum, Madrid
Friday, August 26, 2022
“What is this wisdom that is given to him? What mean such miracles wrought by his hands?” . . . And Jesus marveled at their unbelief. (Douay)
“Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands?” . . . He was amazed at their lack of faith. (NAB)
“This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joseph and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?” And they would not accept him. . . . He was amazed at their lack of faith. (Jerusalem Bible)
“Where did he get the things he is teaching?” they said. How can he perform such miracles?” . . . He was amazed at their unwillingness to believe. (William Barclay translation)
When I reflect on the Crucifixion, call to mind the image created by Diego Velázquez that tells us – much like Marks’s Gospel – of the stark reality of the love Jesus, this God-man, has for each of us. It seems to me that Velázquez has captured the unambiguous difference between the healing, merciful Christ and the Jesus of Nazareth who is disbelieved in his own town. The mystical eeriness produced by the floating cross coupled with the universality of Jesus’ half-covered face allow us to personalize this image with our own version of the very human Christ.
I imagine that our own lack of faith proves a heavy obstacle to the performing of miracles and to the healing of bodies and souls; yet Jesus of Nazareth abides. He still performs the impossible.
Let us invite this Jesus into our homes today and every day. Let us open our hearts and minds to the wild possibilities he dares to dream with us. Let us gather together as his resurrected body to bring healing and hope to one another.
Use the scripture link above to explore other translations of these verses.
Adapted from a favorite written on June 8, 2008.
Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Featured_picture_candidates/Crucified_Christ_(Vel%C3%A1zquez)
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