And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”

Mark 3:31-35

And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” Mark 3:31-33

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 3:31-33, which is the text for the first division for 3:31-35. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to 3:31-35 and the first division: 

• "Jesus makes clear in verse 35, that (1) no physical family connection is ultimately necessary to be in God’s family; (2) no particular racial or cultural background is ultimately essential; (3) when you are a member of the family of God, you are part of the only family that really matters; (4) the family of God is a spiritual reality and not a physical one, joining together Zealots, tax collectors, thieves, murderers, liars, cheats, legalists, self-righteous religionists, and all kinds of others sinners just like you and me."  

The commentary also highlights how the text, even though this is not Jesus' intent, flatly rejects "universalism" which "is the belief that everyone will be saved."  This is of course not true as many people who some might refer to as "good" are condemned for eternity because they did not place their faith in Jesus Christ.  It is a mystery why God softens some hearts but not others.  Regardless, God calls all believers to share the Good News with the intent that He is the Savior - we are simply messengers of the Good News.  God wants us to show "mercy on those who doubt" as we seek to "snatch others from the fire" (Jude 22-23).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God - as You loved me first, while still sinning and an enemy of You.  You never leave or forsake me, and Your mercies are new every morning and never cease - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save nor any of the blessings or mercies You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Genesis 22

I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” v16-18

God wants nothing to come between us and Him, including our own family.  We must make God the highest priority in our lives, and in so doing prevent even our family from becoming an idol.  Abraham and Sarah waited many years to have a child of their own and without a doubt it brought much joy to them.  Yet we can often place family above our relationship with Jesus.  This can happen as we often desire child to glorify ourselves vs God.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God[.] Psalm 143:10

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, worthy of my full attention and worthy of being the highest priority in my life.  You created me, You have blessed me, and You are full of compassion and mercy for me - even though I am far from deserving.  I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Psalm 68

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. v5-6

God is to us who we need and seek - "our Father in heaven".  He is this to all His children regardless of our circumstances and He demands that we focus on Him first, even when we our earthly circumstances deceive us into thinking that our earthly families are more important.

In Matthew 8, Jesus responds to a disciple that sought to attend to his family instead of focusing on God: 

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”  But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:21-22

The primacy of our relationship with Jesus vs our earthly relationships is supported elsewhere in scripture:

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.  A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31-35

My Prayer: Lord, You alone are my Heavenly Father - able to do all things, knowing of all things, existing before time began and after time ends, You are in all things and hold all things together, You are my all in all.  I am deeply grateful for Your abounding love and grace and for Your son Jesus.  Thank You for sending Your Son...for me.  I am not worth such a gift...completely undeserving.  I worry far too much, and I lack patience, compassion, and kindness for others.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.