Mark 3:31-35
And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach. (Mark 3:13-14)
In the verses which immediately precede this passage, we see our blessed Lord accused by the Scribes of being in league with the devil. They said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.”
In the verses we have now read, we find that this absurd charge of the Scribes was not all that Jesus had to endure at this time. We are told that “His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.” They could not yet understand the beauty and usefulness of the life that our Lord was living. Though they doubtless loved Him well, they would sincerely have persuaded him to cease from His work, and “spare himself.” Little did they know what they were doing! Little had they observed or understood our Lord’s words when He was only twelve years old, “did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).
It is interesting to mark the quiet, firm perseverance of our Lord, in the face of all discouragements. None of these things moved Him. The slanderous suggestions of enemies, and the well-meant remonstrances of ignorant friends, were alike powerless to turn Him from His course. He had set His face as a flint towards the cross and the crown. He knew the work He had come into the world to do. He had a baptism to be baptized and was distressed until it was accomplished (Luke 12:50).
So let it be with all true servants of Christ. Let nothing turn them for a moment out of the narrow way, or make them stop and look back. Let them not heed the ill-natured remarks of enemies. Let them not give way to the well-intentioned but mistaken entreaties of unconverted relations and friends. Let them reply in the words of Nehemiah, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down” (Neh. 6:3). Let them say, “I have taken up the cross, and I will not cast it away.”
We learn from these verses one mighty lesson. We learn, who they are that are reckoned the relations of Jesus Christ. They are those who are His disciples, and “do the will of God.” Of such the great Head of the Church says, “is My brother and My sister and mother.”
How much there is in this single expression! What a rich mine of consolation it opens to all true believers! Who can conceive the depth of our Lord’s love towards Mary the mother that bore Him, and on whose bosom He had been nursed? Who can imagine the breadth of His love towards His brethren according to the flesh, with whom the tender years of his childhood had been spent? Doubtless no heart ever had within it such deep well-springs of affection as the heart of Christ. Yet even He says, of all who “do the will of God,” that each “is his brother, and sister, and mother.”
Let all true Christians drink comfort out of these words. Let them know that there is One at least, who knows them, loves them, cares for them, and reckons them as His own family. What though they be poor in this world? They have no cause to be ashamed, when they remember that they are the brethren and sisters of the Son of God. What though they be persecuted and ill-treated in their own homes because of their religion? They may remember the words of David, and apply them to their own case, “When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me” (Ps. 27:10).
Finally, let all who persecute and ridicule others because of their religion, take warning by these words, and repent. Whom are they persecuting and ridiculing? The relations of Jesus the Son of God! The family of the King of kings and Lord of lords! Surely they would do wisely to hold their peace, and consider well what they are doing. These whom they persecute have a mighty Friend. “Their redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you” (Prov. 23:11).
1. What are the themes of chapters 1-3?
2. Who are the true family of Jesus? What do they do?
1. In what situations is it possible that we would have to forsake our own family to follow Jesus? For examples, discuss situations from the persecuted church around the world.
2. How does this passage help us in identifying true Christians and identifying hypocrites who don’t really follow Christ?