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!” (Complete Jewish Bible).
Matthew 10:35 For I have come to set
36 a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law,
so that a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.[Matthew 10:36 Micah 7:6]
37 Whoever loves his father or mother more than he loves me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than he loves me is not worthy of me. 38 And anyone who does not take up his execution-stake and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his own life will lose it, but the person who loses his life for my sake will find it. (Complete Jewish Bible).
Reflection Questions:
Jesus valued how mothers (and other family members) can encourage, support and love. In Matthew 19:16-19, he quoted the fifth commandment next to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But at least once Jesus rebuffed his mother when she tried to alter his approach to his mission. And at times he reminded his hearers that loyalty to family, though important, is not as important as loyalty to God. Maybe without realizing it, some parents demand that even adult children do everything their way. Jesus would remind us that our highest loyalty is to God and the person God made us to be, even beyond our family.
- As in other ways, Jesus broke a cultural boundary in these stories. “Refusal to give higher priority to one’s physical family would appear offensive in ancient Mediterranean culture.”* Psychologists often say people who follow their own values, even if that upsets others, are “inner directed.” In what ways was it crucial to Jesus' mission to be inner directed? Did his choice to stick to the course he knew God called him to mean he didn’t care about his family?
- For what reasons, conscious or unconscious, do families at times try to claim our greatest loyalty? We tend to say, “It’s for their own good,” and it may be. But not always: “Relatives usually tried to hide the behavior of family members that could bring shame on the family.”** What steps can give you confidence you are acting on God’s callings, not just your own impulses? How can giving your ultimate loyalty to Jesus make you, in the end, a better family member than if you ignore your true self to “get along”?
Lord Jesus, you lived through the pain of misunderstandings, and the beauty of caring and loving. Shape me into a person who maximizes the beauty of all the relationships I’m a part of. Amen.
* HarperCollins Christian Publishing. NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Kindle Location 226141). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
** HarperCollins Christian Publishing. NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Kindle Locations 226120-226121). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Read today's Insight by Darren LippeDarren Lippe helps facilitate Journey 101 “Loving God” classes, guides a 7th-grade Sunday school class, is a member of a small group and a men’s group, and serves on the curriculum team.For first time Bible scholars, today’s passage is shocking. As I was pondering these verses, I “read” an old advice column named “Ask Nate” by Nathan Kwire that might be helpful.
Ask Nate: My childhood friend, Art, just became a Doctor. I want to be respectful, but am unsure how I should address him. As Art? As Doctor Art? Any suggestions?
Sign me, Missing Manners in Moab
N. Kwire: Dear Missing Manners: The next time you see him, let him decide. Just ask, “How greet thou, Art?"
Ask Nate: I was raised in a non-believing household. I never gave God or Jesus much thought as I was growing up. A friend invited me to church a year ago and my life has been forever changed. I’ve learned so much about myself, about God, and about God's immense love for me. Here’s my challenge: my folks are adamantly opposed to my new-found-faith. They can’t fathom someone of intelligence believing in some mythological God. I love my new life but I also want to be respectful of my elders. What shall I do?
Sign me, Perplexed in Paducah
N. Kwire: Dear Perplexed: Jesus knew these conflicts would arise. Not all families/friends come to God at the same pace or at the same time. He makes clear in Matthew’s Gospel that the right decision is to not let your family interfere with your faith walk. However, you needn’t be in their face about your faith. Perhaps, seeing the post-Christ change in your life will be such a powerful sermon that they will re-think (or think for the first time) their own spiritual journey. In the meantime, be content with the philosophy of just “agreeing to disagree” about matters of faith. (A rarity in today’s age, but give it a try!)
Ask Nate: Our family is touring Yellowstone National Park this summer. With all the chatter about volcanic activity going on there, would it be appropriate to pray that Old Faithful erupt as normal so we can maximize the enjoyment of our trip?
Sign me, Nervous in Natchez
N. Kwire: Dear Nervous: It is always appropriate to pray. Maybe something simple like, “Oh, come, all ye Faithful.”
Ask Nate: I’ve belonged to a church my whole life and raised my family in the faith. My daughter has surprisingly decided not to pursue a medical degree but rather to go into the ministry as a career choice. She hasn’t decided if that looks like being an ordained minister or perhaps being a full-time missionary or maybe working for a religious entity which ministers to children. She is brilliant and beautiful, but I can’t help but worry about this decision. Should I try to discourage this choice?
Sign me, Worried in Walla Walla
N. Kwire: Dear Worried: The month of May is an emotional month for parents - the old and familiar is abruptly becoming the new and unknown. All parents worry about the decisions their young people are making and, if we are honest, every decision is fraught with pros and cons that we parents, with years of experience, can clearly enumerate. However, Jesus makes it clear that you should not interfere in your daughter’s faith decision. Instead of stewing about all sorts of imaginary worst-case scenarios, perhaps you could turn these fears over to God in prayer. Let God bring you peace. In the meantime, congratulate yourself for raising such a wonderful woman who has such great passion for God and great compassion for others. You know she will be a blessing in whatever ministry path she chooses. She will also need your love and encouragement throughout her career. You’ve given her a great foundation in faith - now help her dream and design her divine mission.
Ask Nate: We are doing a trial for some new feed for our horses. We have to carefully document the amount of feed in the trough, how much is eaten, and how much is leftover after each feeding - any suggestions on how to do this easily?
Sign me, Curious in Casper
N. Kwire: Dear Curious: My, we do get a wide range of questions. Have you tried to do a weigh in a manger? (Editor: Christmas in May? Sigh.)
Like this post? Share it!
You might also like:
- Jesus related his love to a mother’s love
- Jesus reunited mothers and children
- Jesus welcomed children and their parents
- A glimpse of Jesus as a maturing child
- Prayer Tip: What Would Jesus Say on Mother’s Day?
- Or download this week's printable GPS.
©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
No comments:
Post a Comment