Mark 3:20-21 - Jesus and His Family

Mark 3:20-21
20 And He came home, and the crowd gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal. 21 When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.”

Message: Jesus and His Family

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Well, after injuring my hand, I've taken a few days off, as typing has not been fun. I'm back home, after a few days at the in-laws. I continue to walk with Mark as we discover in his book Jesus and his ministry and life. Since verse 13 we've discovered Jesus and His disciples. Some of them have been with Jesus already. Jesus has already been in the synagogue and spoken, sharing the message of repentance and believe and speaking with authority. As he travels, people are hurting and want to be healed. Jesus will heal, but as with the paralytic he is focused on his message of repentance, forgiving sin, and seeing lives changed on the inside. Some want this message, but others are there because the  pains of living and life have taken over. I suppose it is true. When we are ailing, it is all consuming. And life is hard to live through the pain. It's hard to see the real need at times.

This passage tells of Jesus' family. Jesus has come home. The crowds are gathered all around and his family or relatives come out to him and they are bewildered by what they see. They even say He has lost His senses.

Those close to him foresee problems
Much of what has been voiced of Jesus, thus far has been positive. It is the scribes or Pharisees that have been bewildered by Jesus. And yet Mark shows us that, even his family, or close friends, also think he may have lost his senses. Yet, isn't this sort of normal for a family. Jesus already has mentioned to many that they are not to speak of what he is doing. Perhaps, the word has already been spoken that the leaders of the community, both religious and non-religious are not happy with Jesus and the mob scene he is igniting. Perhaps family members are only concerned of his safety and want to protect him and hide him away.

Eccentric and Odd
This response toward Jesus remains common throughout history, even today. His message is radically different. Difference is often equated as odd and not normal. Supernatural ideas are very often squashed in favor of clear evidence. Thus, Jesus is seen with a sort of madness. Innovators are often misunderstood. They are often the only ones that can see their creativity. I think of Caratacus Potts from the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, also a novel by Ian Fleming. He is an inventor and people see him with a clear level of oddity. Jesus has been viewed in a similar manner. If a person wants to be characterized as crazy today, all they must do is voice, "I have been sent by God."

Know-it-all
What people often want in other people is someone just like themselves. As we know, Americans are the richest people in the world and yet they act like they are not. Our world often allows the performer, athlete, singer to stand out as being different because we frequently come together and give these people awards. But, if you are not singled out, you are meant to just get along. Thus, if you make yourself out to be one that knows it all then you must prepare to be ridiculed.

Thus, this reaction from friends and family of Jesus is not actually very peculiar, but somewhat normal and common. When Paul calls his followers "called ones" then it seems more clear that his followers have been called by God because left to their own devices they would not follow Him.

Promise: From Tabletalk - When we follow Jesus, we will inevitably face people—perhaps even our closest relatives—who think we are strange, crazy, or maybe even evil. When this occurs, let us recall that Jesus Himself faced people who misunderstood Him. Still, He loved them, and so too must we love those who think we are fanatics.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for standing out, for being different, and for calling me to stand out with you. I want to follow you in my life. You have saved me and I want my life to represent you well. As you have given me the wherewithal to call you Lord, give me the power to resist my selfish ways, the schemes of the devil, and pursue you unashamed each day.