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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.” (Mark 3:20-35 NIV)
A blessed Monday be yours, dear Friend, and may you find ways to bless God today with your words, actions, and thoughts. I pray God's comfort be with all who lost loved ones in the service of our country. Our life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness came at a great price, paid by those who gave all. May this Memorial Day strengthen our resolve to find alternative ways to end conflict between nations.
Every family usually has an oddball or a weirdo. And if you don't know who in your family it is, then it might just be you. I will raise my hand as the odd one in my family. And that's about all I'm going to say. Okay, I am kidding about all this, but today's passage points out that in some families there may come points where other members of the family may request a meeting or a sit-down, or an intervention. The family will say that because of their love and concern and also as a way to to figure out what has caused this behavior. In today's passage, Jesus' family decides to intervene in His life; for reports of His behavior and actions had reached them and they may have truly thought that only a crazy man could be capable of saying and doing the things that Jesus was doing. "He is out of His mind" is not something that one likes to hear; and Jesus probably expected it.
Jesus' reputation had reached the point where He could not go anywhere without the crowds gathering to hear His sermons and witness His miracles. AT this point of His ministry, eating was almost impossible with so many people crowding in, and then to add the pressure of His family coming to confront His sanity. And let's add to this scenario, what the religious leaders were saying too; "He (Jesus) is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons He is driving out demons." To these, Jesus gives them an audience. "How canSatan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house without first tying hi up. Then he can plunder the strong man's house.Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever basphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin." Jesus makes a good argument, more so when we understand that people, i.e. the religious leaders, and others, that Jesus was possessed by an impure spirit. It was here that the family arrives to confront Jesus. They send someone in to bring Jesus out, and the person calling him said, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for You." Jesus asks, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" Then addressing those seated around Him He said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
The kingdom of God does not do away with family, rather it expands it. Jesus was not denying His mother or brothers or sisters; He was including all who do the will of God. An important truth about God's kingdom and God's love; there is always room for you, and for yours, if you're willing to do the will of God. God's kingdom is inclusive; all are welcome. God's kingdom does not exclude anyone. Jesus came for all the world (re-read John 3), and He seeks not to condemn the world, but to include all who want to be included. To do the will of God, means we seek to follow what God asks of us, trying to seek to keep that which God sets as the norm for serving God and God's people. Please recall the story of Jesus when he mentioned the son who left to live the life he always wanted. The father of the boy did not want to hear the son's confession and contrition; "Father I am no longer to be called your son..." The father orders a celebration to celebrate his son's return back into the fold; the father knew his son's heart was right and his desire was to do all the father might ask of him; such should be our hearts when we realize we have strayed and have stayed away. Even the older son's anger did not get him thrown off the ranch; the father understood his heart and did what he could do to keep the son both on the ranch and in the family. The only sin that upsets God is when we say things that are not true about God's love and God's desire to have us in the family. It will be an eternal sin to speak falsely about God and God's heart.
PRAYER: Loving God, fill us with Your Spirit to live as Your children and Your servants. Make us people of love and service, generosity, and goodwilll. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Show love to all people today!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
