Image from stmarkedmond.org
Jesus came home and, as usual, a crowd gathered - so many making demands on him that there wasn't even time to eat. His friends heard what was going on and went to rescue him, by force if necessary. They suspected he was getting carried away with himself. The religion scholars from Jerusalem came down spreading rumors that he was working black magic, using devil tricks to impress them with spiritual power. Jesus confronted their slander with a story: "Does it make sense to send a devil to catch a devil, to use Satan to get rid of Satan? A constantly squabbling family disintegrates. If Satan were fighting Satan, there soon wouldn't be any Satan left. Do you think it's possible in broad daylight to enter the house of an awake, able-bodied man, and walk off with his possessions unless you tie him up first? Tie him up, though, and you can clean him out. "Listen to this carefully. I'm warning you. There's nothing done or said that can't be forgiven. But if you persist in your slanders against God's Holy Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives, sawing off the branch on which you're sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives."He gave this warning because they were accusing him of being in league with Evil. Just then his mother and brothers showed up. Standing outside, they relayed a message that they wanted a word with him. He was surrounded by the crowd when he was given the message, "Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside looking for you." Jesus responded, "Who do you think are my mother and brothers?" Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, "Right here, right in front of you - my mother and my brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God's will is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 3:20-35 The Message)
Good Monday, dear Friend! As we start the work week, let's do it with the Lord's blessings and help; which come from reading and studying His word.
If you've watched a music talent show like American Idol or The Voice, you know that when it gets down to three or so finalists, these finalists are taken back to their hometowns and there they receive a hero's welcome. Parades, appearances on tv news shows, an assembly in their school's gym, etc. A town likes that sort of attention lavished on their own sons and daughters. The same happened to Jesus on this return to His home. A huge crowd gathered to make demands on Him. The crowd was so huge that Jesus' friends came to rescue Him, "by force if necessary," the scripture says. Notice His friends also "suspected He was getting carried away with Himself." Great friends, right? Then also come the religion scholars who accuse Jesus of being demon-possessed and demon-led. Jesus' remarks to these accusations ring better in older versions: ‘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.' Notice the last sentence was used by President Lincoln in one of his Civil War speeches. Jesus then states the truth; He had come to do God's work, not the devil's. And to say that one who is led by the Holy Spirit is evil is to sin against the Holy Spirit, a serious accusation that Jesus says is unforgivable. And on top of that, word reaches His poor mother that Jesus is besides Himself (thanks, friends!) and she and her other children come to rescue Jesus as well.
Jesus, in this version says, "Who do you think are my mother and brothers?' And looking around, taking in everybody seated around Him, He said, 'Right here, right in front of you - my mother and my brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God's will is my brother and sister and mother.'" Jesus kept ever before Him, as should we, the goal of the mission God had shared with Him. Nothing and nobody could deter Him from fulfilling it. His eye ever on the prize fueled His desire to please His Father; as we should please God. Yesterday, our pastor baptized his 8 year old son, Nate. It was something Nate asked of his dad. And as his dad asked him the baptismal questions, I kick myself for not taking a picture of Nate's loving stare and determined look on his face as he enthusiastically and loudly responded. It's an image I pray I never forget. I can only imagine Jesus' face as He prayed daily to His Father about that which still needed to be done. And, even as harsh as this may hit some people, obedience to God is more important than obedience and faithfulness to family. God is perfect as is His plan and purpose for our lives; our families are human and thus imperfect; we should always, prayerfully, choose God.
PRAYER: Loving Father, guide us to faithfulness. May our lives be fruitful in reaching those whom you've entrusted to our care. Keep our spirits ever guided by You to see Your hand guiding us to what it is we should do, and be. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Pray to be faithful and fruitful to the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
PRAYER REQUEST: As I mentioned on Friday, please keep Nellie in your prayers. She will undergo corrective foot surgery tomorrow in San Antonio. If ConCafe does not appear, please understand I have had to tend to her. Thank you for your faithfulness in praying one for another.
