Who’s in Control?
Opening Prayer
Thank You for carrying my sin, my shame and my suffering on the cross. I love 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 THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How did Jesus’ family interact with him here?The way this story is told about Jesus’ family is unique to Mark’s narrative; perhaps Matthew and Luke wanted to spare his family embarrassment. But Mark is very frank: the family wanted to control Jesus and his actions, and they set out from home with a purpose. They had totally misunderstood what he was doing and wanted to restrain him. Meanwhile, the senior lawyers came from Jerusalem to observe what Jesus was doing – were the authorities there also concerned and wanting to control him? They level two accusations against Jesus (22) who counters their suggestions with several illustrations (23–27). He then asserts that every sin or blasphemy can be forgiven, except that of attributing the Holy Spirit’s work to Satan. Maybe Jesus didn’t say this because of what they said, but because of what they were thinking. He is warning them against a fixed attitude of mind. Might that apply to his family when they arrive, as well (32)?
Apply
How does Jesus define a close relationship with him, and what is its cost (v 35)? Who’s in control?
Closing prayer
Lord, search my heart and cleanse all that is a hindrance to unbroken fellowship with You.
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