The Gospel of Mark: Family Pt. 1

Then (Jesus) went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” ~ Mark 19b-21


Such a short two sentence passage. But can you picture it? 

Jesus has been busy. He's got to be tired. Already crowds have stopped him from praying in solitude. He's become what we would now consider a celebrity. It's hard for him to have peace.

And now it's hard even for him to eat.

Jesus' ministry is fully in earnest now. He is known. People want him to heal them. People want to be near him. 

Lots of people.
.
But then there is his family. Notice that there is no mention of who they are at this point. No names given. All we can see out of them is their embarrassment.

There's no pride here for their son/brother. Only shame and embarrassment.

And probably worry. What if Jesus is angering the leaders of their faith? What if he says the wrong thing to the wrong person? What if he isn't really healing but harming?

What if people start to hate him and then start to hate us?

What if he really is losing his mind?

There is a transition beginning here. Jesus has left the nest. And there is no going back.


Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen



Engagement Questions:


When has your family supported you in your goals? When have they not? What do you think Jesus' family is truly worried about here?



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