3. Family Feud
Today’s Reading: Mark 3:7-35
Following vs. Followers (v. 7–19)
Mark’s Gospel is an incredible book in the way it discusses popularity. Many of antiquity’s greatest heroes—Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, Alexander the Great—were loved by their people, celebrated often, and honored publicly. For many Gentiles, this was the image of success. But in Mark’s Gospel, the crowd seems to be an obstacle to purpose. Jesus has compassion for the crowd and spends time teaching and healing them. But the insatiable throng of people also causes him problems. Verse 9 says he even asks for a small boat to be prepared so the crowd won’t push up against him.
Another contrast in how Jesus deals with “popularity” is his refusal to let people report what he has done. This is known as the “Messianic Secret.” Jesus knows he has a limited amount of time to accomplish the ministry to which he is called. In Mark 3:6, the religious leaders are already discussing the possibility of killing him. By restricting evil spirits from identifying him and healed individuals from spreading the news, Jesus is buying time.
Despite his large following, Jesus goes up on a mountainside and chooses followers. Notice the language in Mark 3:14–15: “He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” Jesus isn’t concerned with popularity or simply being well known. He wants disciples. Life with Jesus is more than following the hype; it’s about being shaped by His example.
House of Satan (v. 22–30)
The religious leaders become convinced that Jesus is driving out demons because he is one. Jesus responds by following the logic of their argument: “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” Why would Satan work to undo his own strongholds? Jesus corrects the religious leaders by giving them Satan’s playbook. Logically, binding a strong person gives you access to their possessions. In other words, demonic possession is too valuable to Satan’s opposition to God for Satan to undo it himself. Their argument doesn’t make logical sense.
Then Jesus gives one of the most misunderstood teachings in Mark 3:28–29: “Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” Many modern readers of the Bible have latched onto this verse because of its severity. God forgives all our sins, yet the mention of an unforgivable sin quickly becomes the focus.
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin because it is wrongdoing that justifies itself. The person doesn’t see the error of their ways. Notice where this statement falls in the text. The religious leaders are arrogant and attribute the clear work of God through Jesus to evil. They are unwilling to remain open and see the healing that comes as a result. Because they don’t believe they have done anything wrong, they don’t seek forgiveness. A sin cannot be forgiven if it is not first acknowledged.
Family Matters (v. 20–21, 31–35)
From verses 20–31, we see the journey of Jesus’ family to get to him. They hear what Jesus is doing and react the way almost anyone would if they heard their relative was performing exorcisms and challenging the authorities: “He is out of his mind.” This section of Mark almost reads like a tabloid article, with reporters trying to get the family’s reaction to the news. Jesus’ mother and siblings travel to the house where he is teaching to bring him home. Right after being heckled by the religious leaders and accused of doing the Devil’s work, Jesus’ family arrives outside.
At this news, Jesus says, “Who are my mother and my brothers?… Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” It seems harsh on the surface, but Jesus recognizes his mission. His role as Messiah is to expand the scope of God’s kingdom, not shrink it. Remember Mark’s Gentile audience again. They are living this new Christian life, often outside the religious and cultural world where it began. Jesus’ words about family would have comforted them and reassured them of their belonging.
Reflection Questions
Jesus had a large following, but he chose specific followers. What does it mean to you to be a follower of Jesus?
Arrogance can become an obstacle to forgiveness. Spend time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to reveal where you might need to seek forgiveness.
Between the tension with his family and the religious authorities, Jesus had a hard day. But instead of moving inward toward self-pity, he moves outward toward belonging. How can we practice this in our own difficult moments?
