Day 3: March 24, 2020
In Mark chapter 3 we see Jesus continuing to heal and work on the Sabbath day in defiance of the religious leaders of his time (v.1-6). Great crowds begin to follow him, of whom he selects 12 to go everywhere with him as his apostles (v.7-21). He silences the accusations of the religious leaders that his power was of demonic nature rather than from God (v.22-30) and states that his true family are not those who are biologically related to him but those who do the will of God (v.31-35).
In the beginning of the passage Mark tells us that Jesus was angry and grieved at the hardness of heart which the Pharisees displayed towards the man with the withered hand. Jesus calls us to be full of compassion and love for people at all times!
Mark 3
A Man with a Withered Hand
Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
A Great Crowd Follows Jesus
7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. 9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.
The Twelve Apostles
13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” 23 And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.
28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30 for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
31 And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
What are some specific ways we can extend the same compassion and love that Jesus has shown us towards the people in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces this week?
PRAISE GOD that His Son, Jesus, REALLY LISTENS to our prayers, our thoughts and examines our hearts! It seems to me with all the new restrictions in place for social distancing and sheltering in place that truly LISTENING to one another is so important. In our homes and virtual meetings it can amp up joy and reduce friction by slowing down our responses. Help us to respond with empathy and wisdom. Allow the Holy Spirit to control our tongues AND fingers on keyboards! Virtual HUGS & PRAYERS folks.
If a kingdom is divided against itself that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself that house cannot stand. Lord Jesus thank you for Your Words of wisdom. Let us pray for our country and our homes today.
vv. 1-6 Show that the Pharisees knew that Jesus “could” heal, but watched to see if He “would” heal with their intention to trap Him. “Held counsel with the Herodians.” Evidently, Herodians were influential Jews who favored the Herodian dynasty – supporters of Rome – politically driven. I would say selfish & fearful of how Jesus was going to change their status quo. We see Jesus pay attention to, minister to the marginalized people groups, such as the disabled, the tax collectors, and sinners. From chap. 2 we see that He fellowshipped with them by having a meal. How do I treat, pay attention to, the “odd” people in church? Do I seek them? Do I purpose to love them & disciple them into an intimate relationship with Christ, or do I seek a “selfish & safe” world within the church walls? Yes, I am to have an intimate friend group base that loves Jesus, but I don’t need to ostracize everyone else & be judgmental of their choices.
vv. 13-19 show Christ appointing the 12 with 3 purposes listed here: 1) be with Him 2) send them out to preach 3) to have authority to drive out demons. He chose Judas knowing his ultimate betrayal. Christ gave Judas every opportunity to choose him & not betray Him. There will be people in our midst that have every opportunity to choose Christ, but will not. I am to love them as Jesus loved Judas. Ugh, that’s a HARD ONE.
vv. 31- 34 Jesus says, “Here are my mother & my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother & sister & mother.” I know in scripture that his siblings did NOT believe him to be the Christ until after His resurrection, but I know that Mary knew who He truly was, yet here, she is lumped into the negative. As a mother, this made my heart hurt. I wonder how Mary felt? I know that Jesus was referring to submitting to God & obedience to Him made people a part of the Spiritual family of God. Still, this stings a bit.
What are some specific ways we can extend the same compassion and love that Jesus has shown us towards the people in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces this week?
Jesus did continually show love and do the work of the Father despite opposition from the Pharisees. My desire is to continue that work! How can I do it specifically? Right now… that’s a difficult question. We can reach out to people through calls, texts, etc. to check in! There are a *ton* of people walking around my neighborhood since we all have to stay at home so I can connect with them (from a safe distance, of course) and help meet any of those needs!
I can share God’s love and compassion to my wife and kids during this stressful time by being sensitive to their needs, available and take the initiative to check in on them to see how they are doing about any concerns they may have. I can reach out to my neighbors and see if they have any physical or spiritual needs/prayer, and stay connected to my coworkers to see how they are doing, listen and pray with them.
Praise God that Jesus said we who do the Will of God are all brothers and sisters.
I thank God for the many ways we are staying connected and taking care of our family of God. Let every believer do their part in being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Being with family all week has reminded me to take time when I connect. Interaction is more than just business. It is taking time to share, ask questions, listen, acknowledge, respond and remember to check up afterwards. Otherwise, it seems like I am just taking them for granted.
I don’t mean to take anyone for granted, but when I am rushing sometimes it feels like I am just trying to get to the next place or thing. That spreads like wildfire. It curtails relationships…and it is hard to change when you get into relationship habits like that.
I can’t improve my relationships, but thankfully God can! First by teaching and reminding me how to love and care.