Many followed Jesus in Galilee as he began his ministry, but a growing number found him hard to understand, Mark’s Gospel indicates.

Scribes come from Jerusalem and say he has a demon, the Pharisees begin to plot with the Herodians, the followers of Herod Antipas, about putting him to death. (Wednesday) When they hear about him in Nazareth, his relatives say, “No, he doesn’t have a demon. He may be out of his mind,” and they come to bring him home. (Saturday. 2nd week)

Besides the leading elite and people from his hometown, ordinary people begin to distance themselves too. They may be the people in Mark’s Gospel, (Monday) who question him “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” (Mark 2, 18-22) Not only Jewish leaders and scholars, not only his own family and his hometown, but ordinary people of Galilee find him too much for them.

Jesus brought change, radical change, but change can be hard to accept. Jesus brought a new vision, a great vision, but vision can be hard to accept, especially if it seems delayed. Many who heard him weren’t ready for new wine, they preferred the old.

Commentators describe Mark’s gospel as a Passion Narrative with a prelude. In other words, Mark’s early stories predict the story of his Passion, Death and Resurrection. Jesus dies alone, forsaken by many ordinary people who flocked to him at first. Forsaken even by his friends.

Commentators also see Mark’s gospel written to help the Christians of Rome facing a surprising brutal persecution by Nero in the mid 60s. The persecution started by the arrest of Christian leaders, a usual step taken by Roman authorities when they dealt with the church, but this persecution seemed to strike at ordinary Christians as well. The senseless, arbitrary persecution left Rome’s Christians confused and wondering what this all meant. Mark’s account reminds his followers they must follow him without always understanding.

Confusion and lack of understanding are part of our world today, aren’t they? We are living in a time of rapid changes. For many, the old wine, the “old days” were clearer, better.

The Cross of Jesus may not come as hard wood and nails. According to Mark’s Gospel, it can come in today’s confusion and lack of understanding. A Cross hard to bear.