Written ~ 02-12-2024
Read Mark Chapter Three
Mark 3
Everywhere Jesus went throngs of people would rush to Him, they brought their sick, the demon possessed, and they yearned to hear Him speak. Some days Jesus and His disciples didn’t have time to eat. Can you imagine, even as Jesus tried to rest, there would be people hanging around for the chance to see Him. I think it would have been exhausting! But this was one of the missions Jesus had, to show Himself to the world so they would believe in Him, even if at times the crowds were pressing against Him just to touch Him, He knew this was part of His purpose for coming to the earth to bring His chosen people to Himself.
Let’s look at Mark 3:31-35,
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him. They stood outside and sent word for Him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and Your brothers are outside asking for You.”
33 Jesus replied, “Who is My mother? Who are My brothers?” 34 Then He looked at those around Him and said, “Look, these are My mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is My brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus loved His mother Mary and His half-brothers (James, Joseph, Simon and Judas – Matt. 13:55). But now the meaning of brother or sister or mother has changed. When we become born again, we are adopted into the family of God. We become the children of the Almighty God! So Jesus, not only is He our Savior and constant companion, He is also our brother. He calls us brother, sister, mother. So when Jesus is asking, “Who is My mother? Who are My brothers?”It is not out of disrespect, it is love, for we all have been gathered together as believers into this family, the Church.
Verse 3:21 says,
“When His family heard what was happening, they tried to take Him away. “He’s out of His mind,” they said.”
It was out of concern that Mary and Jesus’ brothers came to find Him. They knew there was a never ending crowd around Him and that He didn’t have much time for food and rest. Their interest was purely for His well-being.
If you and I have a loved one who is absolutely running themselves ragged, they don’t have much time for food or rest or taking care of their bodies, we would have great concern for them. Maybe even like the family of Jesus, we could call our loved one “out of their mind” for not taking a break and try to help if we can. So this entire scenario is quite relatable! But then, when Jesus questions who His mother or brothers were, that must have taken them back a little bit, don’t you think? Mary’s love for her son is obvious and it is not surprising, as a mom, that she would want to take care of Him and make sure He was doing ok. Maybe Jesus’ mother and brothers were standing there when the teachers of religious law were calling Him “possessed by Satan and that He was the prince of demons.” I’m sure it was difficult to stand by and let those men talk to Him that way.
When Jesus began His ministry, I think He would have known that part of His journey would be quite difficult and perhaps lonely. He had this incredible purpose, but all those around Him, even His beloved mother, His brothers and the disciples who clung to His every word, did not understand everything He would need to go through. He knew His time on earth was short and He needed to reach as many people as possible. It’s also possible that His family only saw Him pushing Himself to the limits and their concern for His well-being is what consumed them, but what if Jesus only saw it as a determination to reach as many people as possible.
Our physical bodies have limits, we can push and push, but at a certain point we all need to back off, stop for a while and rest. I wonder how often it happened that Jesus and the disciples were unable to get away and eat and rest. In Mark 3 it says in verses 7, 9 and then again in verse 20 how the crowds would gather as soon as they found out Jesus was coming…
7 “Jesus went out to the lake with His disciples, and a large crowd followed Him… 9 Jesus instructed His disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush Him… 20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon He and His disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.”
I think the concern Mary and the brothers of Jesus had for Him was legitimate! And who knows, maybe they thought they were a little privileged as His mom and brothers, that if asked to see Jesus, He would be brought out immediately to see them, without question! What a surprise that must have been when it didn’t happen the way they thought it would!
Let’s re-read Mark 3:31-35,
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him. They stood outside and sent word for Him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for You.”
33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 Then He looked at those around Him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus looked around at all those people gathered around Him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers…”What a statement of endearment! Do you see it?
He looks at you and I today, “Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
So… What does it take to have Jesus as your brother?
The first step… believing in who Jesus is. The second step… accepting Him as Lord and Savior. The third step… become part of the family of God! Then finally, do the will of God!
That way, the next time Jesus asks, “Who is my mother? Who is my brother? Who is my sister?” You can respond by saying, “ME!”
~AMEN~