Sanctified Common Sense
Opening Prayer
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be alert and receptive to the truths he is going to teach you.
Read Mark 3:20-35
[20] Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. [21] When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” [22] And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” [23] So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? [24] If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. [25] If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. [26] And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. [27] In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. [28] Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, [29] but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” [30] He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” [31] Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. [32] A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” [33] “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. [34] Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! [35] Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Who are those Jesus regards as truest family?The religious leaders were increasingly and uncomfortably threatened by Jesus’ obvious authority (Mark 1:27) and rising popularity (1:33; 2:2,13; 3:7,8). They became critical (2:7,16,24), watching him like a hawk (3:2), even conspiring together about how best to get rid of him (3:6). When they could not succeed by fair means, some resorted to foul. Some scribes attempted to discredit Jesus by accusing him of being demon-possessed–Beelzebub was another name for Satan, ruler of the demons (22). Jesus, knowing that his accusers were not interested in the truth, did not bother to quote scripture or get into a complex theological argument. Instead, he used a simple story laced with good old-fashioned common sense (23-27) which highlighted the utter foolishness of their accusations. He also warned them of the danger of a hard heart that knowingly and deliberately denies the truth and refuses to believe (29). When sharing our faith, there will be times to quote scripture, times to talk theology, times for reasoning … but there will also be times to simply rely on Spirit-inspired, sanctified common sense! It was good enough for Jesus and is good enough for us, too!
Apply
How will you love God “with all Your mind” (Mark 12:30)? How you will translate into action the truths you learn?
Closing prayer
Lord, I want to be prepared to share my faith well when the opportunity arises. Please help me be ready.
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