June 22, Live Loved

"Who are my mother and my brothers?" He asked.  Then He looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!  Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

Mark 3:33-35

Jesus’ family came to Him, and according to the whole text of this story, they came for Him.   The ones with His mother Mary were likely His literal siblings, and their entrance onto the scene added to an already chaotic moment that surrounded the life of our Lord.  Much as revealed in Mark 2, a crowd had formed around Jesus:

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that He and his disciples were not even able to eat. (Mark 3:20)

And, the importunity of the people was met with Jesus’ divine eagerness to entreat them.  However, Jesus’ family heard of this encounter and did not think of His divine love for the people, but rather assumed He was “out of His mind” (Mark 3:21).  This seems so implausible that Jesus’ own family members would draw such a conclusion, yet their familial closeness likely caused many to miss the evidence of His deity, and thus they concluded negatively concerning how He entreated the crowd.  How difficult it became for Jesus’ family to truly embrace His deity: “For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” (John 7:5)

Along with Jesus’ family questioning His earnest care for the crowd, the Scribes who had come from Jerusalem accused Jesus of having associations with demons, for in the present society appealing words accompanied with miraculous wonders were considered to be either of deity or of demons.  The Scribes attempted to villainize Jesus with the latter.  So, Jesus summoned the religious elders to join the crowd as He spoke to them in parables.    

At this moment, Jesus’ mother and His brothers came for Him, but the crowd that gathered around Jesus forced His family to send Him the message of their presence. It was announced, “Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you” (3:31-32).  Jesus replied, and spoke those powerful words: 

“Whoever chooses to do the will of God is my brother, sister, and mother.” (3:35)

Why would Jesus say this?  

The spiritual became ardently emphasized over the natural.  The “family” of Jesus became something of His mission far more than something of His household.  The priority of the Heavenly Father far extended the familial ties of this world. These words did not dishonor Jesus’ earthly family, but rather intensified His devotion to those of His spiritual family – “whoever does the will of God.”  

By believing in Christ, through receiving Him by faith as Savior and Redeemer, and by submitting to His Lordship, one proves his or her heart for God, and is described here by Jesus as one who does the will of God.  This indicates both then and now that Jesus truly sees His followers as His family.  If you belong to Him, then He sees you in this way.   You matter to Him.  

He loves you.  He is for you.  He not only died for you.  He lives for you.  He intercedes for you (Hebrews 7:25).  He prepares a place for you (John 14:3).  I pray that you will see this as reality.  This is the encouragement above all encouragements.  

So today, rest in the fact that Jesus is for you.  Do not listen to the accusations of your past failures. Do not listen to the criticism of the world around you. Listen to the heart of God made known in Jesus Christ.  Today, renew your awareness of being loved.  You can most certainly live loved, for this is the heart of Christ for you.

Be blessed!

READ

Read Mark 3:20-35 and be encouraged by the love Jesus has for His own.