Daily Scripture: Mark 3:20 and once more, such a crowd came together that they couldn’t even eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they set out to take charge of him; for they said, “He’s out of his mind!”
22 The Torah-teachers who came down from Yerushalayim said, “He has Ba‘al-Zibbul in him,” and “It is by the ruler of the demons that he expels the demons.” 23 But he called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan expel Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom can’t survive; 25 and if a household is divided against itself, that household can’t survive. 26 So if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he can’t survive either; and that’s the end of him. 27 Furthermore, no one can break into a strong man’s house and make off with his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. After that, he can ransack his house. 28 Yes! I tell you that people will be forgiven all sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29 however, someone who blasphemes against the Ruach HaKodesh never has forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin.” 30 For they had been saying, “He has an unclean spirit in him.”
31 Then his mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent a message asking for him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you.” 33 He replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 Looking at those seated in a circle around him, he said, “See! Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does what God wants is my brother, sister and mother!”
John 19:25 Nearby Yeshua’s execution stake stood his mother, his mother’s sister Miryam the wife of K’lofah, and Miryam from Magdala. 26 When Yeshua saw his mother and the talmid whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Mother, this is your son.” 27 Then he said to the talmid, “This is your mother.” And from that time on, the talmid took her into his own home.
Reflection Questions:Jesus should have had a perfect family life if anyone did, right? Yet his mother and father once lost track of him for three days (cf. Luke 2:42-46). At another time, his mother and brothers came to “take control” of him, fearing he’d lost his mental balance. John 7:5 said that his brothers didn’t believe in him. But he always loved his mother, and even on the cross made sure he provided care for her.
- How could Jesus’ mother have so significantly misunderstood what her son was doing in carrying out his mission? Have your parents ever failed to understand you, or you to understand your children or siblings? How can you offer wisdom and support to those you love, and yet keep from heavy-handedly trying to control their lives?
- Jesus did not “disown” his mother in Mark 3, as his loving act toward her while he was on the cross showed. But he was serious when he spoke about his bond with those who do God’s will. How can faith and shared experience with God create ties as close as, or closer than, those we share with family members? Do you have any additional “family members” because of belonging to God’s family?
Several years ago I visited Ephesus and was overwhelmed by the ancient stories that were revealed more fully to me by visiting this historic and sacred place. One story was that of the disciple John who brought Mary, the mother of Jesus, to live with him in Ephesus. He cared for her as he would care for his own mother.
Remember the words of Jesus on the cross as he spoke to his beloved disciple, “Here is your mother.” The gospel tells us from that very hour the disciple took her into his own home.
Jesus remembered and honored his mother. Even with his dying breath he reveals his love and devotion to his mother who gave him birth and blessing at death. From cradle to grave, Mary’s devotion was honored and is remembered in scripture. We also remember that Jesus’ mother was present at the wedding in Cana where he performed the miracle of changing water into wine. His mother was very present at the beginning and end of his public ministry.
Most of us would do well to honor our mothers. For me to honor the memory of my mother is to thank God for so many times that she blessed me with her love and faith. God was made real to me through my mother and her witness.
The best compliment I ever received in my ministry was when someone said to me, “You must have had a wonderful, loving mother.” Jesus must have had a wonderful mother.
Thank God for your mother if she has gone before you in death. If she is living, care for her in some special way. Jesus did.
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