Family Defined

A New Definition of Family

Summary: In Mark 3:20–35, Jesus defines family as those who do the will of God, emphasizing a spiritual bond beyond blood relations, or even relations in the religious community.

Application: This passage challenges us to prioritize our spiritual family and relationships with believers who not only confess belief, but also do the will of God. It urges us to prioritize our obedience to God over any earthly ties that may hinder us from fully following Him.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that being part of God's family is not based on biological ties or local church membership, but on our obedience to His will. Church leaders can stray to the point that they call God’s truth evil and evil good (Verse 22). Biological family can choose to follow the will of the world rather than God.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage in Mark points to Jesus as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity, inviting all who believe in Him to become part of God's family. Throughout the Bible, we see God's plan of redemption and reconciliation culminating in Christ, who brings us into a new family through faith.

Big Idea: Our obedience to God defines our true family, transcending earthly relationships. By prioritizing our spiritual family and living in unity with fellow believers, we reflect our relationship with God and honor His will.

Recommended Study: To deepen your understanding of the themes of family and obedience in this passage, explore the concept of the family of God in the New Testament using your Logos library. Additionally, examine the cultural implications of family dynamics in first-century Judea to gain insight into the radical nature of Jesus' teachings on spiritual kinship.

Mark 3:20–35 ESV

Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” 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?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

Introduction

Today, Jesus redefines the concept of family.

In a culture where biological ties and religious affiliations were paramount, Jesus introduces a radical idea:

true family is defined not by blood or even religious community but by doing the will of God.

Misunderstood by Many (Mark 3:20-21):

Let’s begin with Mark 3:20-21.

Here, we see that Jesus' own family thought He was out of His mind because of the intensity of His ministry.

They went out to seize Him, convinced that His dedication was madness.

Mark 3:20–21 ESV

Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

Now, imagine you’re doing the will of God, and instead of seeing God at work, your family thinks you’ve gone crazy.

I would imagine that would be a little frustrating, and probably also a little insulting.

It would also be a reminer that even biological family may not understand or support you do on behaf of the Kingdom of God.

As believers, we can remember that to a world that doesn’t see God clearly, the very act of service to God can make others think that you are out of your mind.

When confronted with that reality, we can expect the same response in our own witness.

The world, whether family or even religious authorities, often misjudges God’s work because of cultural lures that draw them away from God, sometimes to the point of being ashamed of the gospel.

Misjudged by Misconceptions (Mark 3:22-30):

Even more insulting is the response of the religious leaders in Mark 3:22-30.

We see the teachers of the law accusing Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebul.

Despite His miracles and teachings, they couldn’t or wouldn’t see the truth.

They misjudged His work, attributing it to evil.

Mark 3:22–30 ESV

And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

As we mentioned two weeks ago with Nicodemus, these are highly educated, respected leaders in the Jewish community.

For most of us, such a judgement would be disheartening to say the least.

We’re reminded, however, that opposition can come from unexpected places, even from those who should understand God’s work.

Jesus’ response emphasizes the importance of discernment in recognizing God's work.

We can learn a lesson from this example.

Be discerning in recognizing God's work.

Avoid quick judgments and seek the truth.

Support and stand with those doing God’s work, even if it’s unconventional or misunderstood.

I can tell you that there are Christians who take approaches and techniques in evangelism that make me uncomfortable.

My first sense is to criticize them because they don’t do it like me.

I like how a Pharisee named Gamaliel put it in Acts 5 when the Sanhedrin was trying to figure out how to stop the apostles from preaching.

Acts 5:38–39 ESV

So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,

Unless a person is preaching, teaching, or approaching evangelism in a way that clearly defies the word of God, we should do the same.

When the word of God is undermined we have a God given responsibility to confront it.

Implied in Jesus words is that being religious is not the same as doing the will of God.

Faith in Christ leads us to do what is faithful and just in God’s vision.

You know, I’ve never worried much over what other denominations are doing, because God’s judgement and God’s blessing are out of my hands.

The evidence of truth is always revealed by God in His time, and in His way.

Our call is to be faithful and to do the will of God.

Mission Defines Family (Mark 3:31-35):

Finally, in Mark 3:31-35, Jesus defines true family when told His mother and brothers are looking for Him.

Mark 3:31–35 ESV

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?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

I have to be honest.

There’s a deeply petty part of me that really, really understands Jesus’ seeming irritability.

He was casting out demons and his family said he’d gone mad, and the religious leaders called him possessed.

If I’m Jesus, I’m probably thinking something along the lines of, “Oh, my mother and brothers???”

Some “mother and brothers” you are!

Now, Jesus did not disown his family regardless of how irritated he may have been in this moment.

He does, however. remind everyone that neither biology nor church membership necessarily correlates to faithfulnbess.

Thiscalls us to prioritize our spiritual relationships and our obedience to God over any earthly ties.

It also reminds us of why this spiritual family is so important.

Jesus created a spiritual family with the disciples, and they became his family.

This is what the local church is meant to be in all of its manifestations, as well.

In this spiritual family, we enourage one another by acknowledging the spiritual gifts God gives to us.

We foster relationships with fellow believers, encouraging each other to live out God’s will.

Big Idea

Brothers and sisters, our obedience to God defines our true family, transcending earthly relationships.

By prioritizing our spiritual family and living in unity with fellow believers, we reflect our relationship with God and honor His will.

Jesus’ definition of family challenges us to evaluate our priorities.

As we align ourselves with God’s will, we become part of a spiritual family that transcends earthly ties.

As we do the will of God, we live like faithful family members.

So, let’s commit to living out this truth in our daily lives, supporting and loving our spiritual family, and always seeking to do God’s will.

Amen

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting us into Your family through Jesus. Help us to understand and live out Your will in our lives. Strengthen our spiritual relationships and guide us to prioritize Your kingdom over everything else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hymn of Reflection: