June 11, 2018 Monday

“Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “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 cannot stand. “And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; “but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”  —  because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.” Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.” But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”” (Mark 3:20-35 NKJV)

            It is such a comfort to me people thought Jesus was out of his mind. That may seem terrible and preposterous but I know Jesus has borne and gone through what at times we go through. It was not just the scribes and the Pharisees who thought He was crazy but even his own family.

            It is easy to forget how we saw the world before Jesus changed our lives and our perception. Following God is a radical choice where everything seems to the world upside down. Our fallen nature is centered in us but as God redeems us we receive a new nature that is God centered!

            In a very radical move Jesus would redefine family as not being biological but spiritual. On the cross Jesus would live this out as He shared the responsibility for his mother with John who was a spiritual family member rather than His biological family member. This change is so incredible and so we seldom live it or see it live down.

            An interesting part of this declaration is Mark uses the word circle. A circle is a symbol of eternity and three circles that are intertwined is a symbol for God. The circle is a symbol of the unity we have with God and the people of God in the past, present and the future.

            Jesus also taught us when we are united and living within God’s power and love we can through the name and authority of Jesus have power over evil and the evil one. Our fear can keep us from living within the freedom and love of God in Jesus Christ and through Jesus Christ crush the power of satan!

            Warning: without the power of Jesus and the unity with God and His people to go against evil or the evil one cannot only be dangerous but even lethal!

            Have you immersed your life in Jesus Christ or are you still trying to do it your way? Do you live out the change God has made in your life so you can be the person God wants you to be to be able do the things God wants you to do? Who is your family and what part do they play in your life?