Mark 3: 20-35 and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, "He has gone out of his mind." And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons." And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"— for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit." Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you." And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
The Twelve had just been appointed to be a part of Jesus' work. This amidst the great success and crowds that Jesus was attracting. Healing were taking place; people being fed both physically and spiritually, and unexplainable signs and wonders from God were being witnessed. The 12 might have said, "We've got it made!" when Jesus' family gets involved. You've been there probably; things are going great and Mom/Dad, brother/sister gets involved and things don't look so great any more. The family got involved because the neighbors were saying, "Jesus' lost it! He's crazy!" Add to the nosey neighbors the religious folk from the big church who are now saying that Jesus was not only demon possessed but also, controlling the demons. The hint of satisfaction or success was quickly wiped away by this encounter, but it served to strengthen them in their faith in Jesus. Jesus shares a great truth used by a president of the United States at the brink of civil war: "And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand." Jesus spoke this truth to show that a demon-controling person would not be casting out demons. In fact, Jesus warns, such accusations go directly against the Holy Spirit, and those are not forgivable.
Mary and her children come to Jesus and say something like, "Come home, son." This message gets to Jesus probably in the "Your Mom and your brothers and sisters are outside waiting for you." Jesus asks the question, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" Looking at those around Him who believed He says, "Here are my mother and my brothers and my sisters. Whoever does the will of God is my brother and my sister and mother."
Are you related to Jesus? Are you seeking to do the will of God in and for your life? Or, are you still following selfish, self-centered passions and pleasures? I would rather be a relative of Jesus than a mindless servant of Satan. Why not join the family now?
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to renounce the things that are not Yours in my life. Turn my face towards Heaven and You and let me do your will. I want to be Yours and in Your family, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
