Mark 3:31-35 Family

From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”

Pray

Mark 3:31-35

Mark 3:31–35 NASB95

Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him. A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.” Answering them, He said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! “For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text

Introduction and Review:

Jesus is still in the first part of his mission here on Earth. He is introducing Himself as the Son of God and He is proclaiming the Gospel to the people of Israel.

Because of His teaching, preaching, and healing, He now has thousands of followers.

In Israel, the real power lies with the religious leadership, who are called Pharisees and Scribes. Jesus, in his teaching, is showing that they are hypocrites - they make up their own rules and they ignore the Word God passed down to them through the Old Testament prophets.

The Scribes and Pharisees have started to talk wickedly about Jesus, because they fear He is there to take away their power. They have accused Him of breaking the Law, and now they are trying to convince people He is crazy.

Previous verses:

Jesus accused of working with the devil: He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mk 3:22). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

This is not the only charge Jesus had to put up with.

Now His mother, Mary, and his brothers come to Him, to get Him to stop His ministry.

They don’t understand Jesus mission, what He is doing

They clearly loved Him - but they were trying to get Him to stop His work, to give Himself a break

Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Lk 2:49). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.Discussion and Questions

Notice here that Jesus was not distracted from His mission by any of these efforts

Nothing got in His way, not the lies of His enemies, the efforts of ignorant friends to correct Him, nothing turned Him from His course.

He knew He was on course to Jerusalem, where He would be crucified, and then regain His crown in Heaven

Luke 12:50 ““But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!”

If you are a Christian, you have some experience with this kind of opposition.

True followers of Christ should all be this way

Nothing should turn them back from the path they are on to heaven- nothing should get in their way

Ignore the nasty remarks of enemies

Don’t get distracted by unsaved friends and relations that are trying to help

We need to be like Nehemiah, the OT prophet, Neh. 6:3 “ “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?””

One great lesson from all this.

Who are the real relatives of Christ?

His disciples (students)

Those who do the what God asks of them (God’s Will)

It is these people that Jesus calls His brother, sister, mother

This is a great message for all true believers. Who is a true believer? One who believes the Gospel

Of course, Jesus loved His mother Mary beyond words. She gave birth to Him, nursed Him, loved Him

Of course Jesus loved his brothers - spent His childhood with them.

No one could have the deep love for His family that Jesus, the Son of God, had

Nevertheless, He still says that all who do the will of God are His brother, sister, mother.

These are wonderful words for all true Christians

There is one, at least, who knows us, loves us, cares for us - who considers us His own family, and He is the Son of God

Doesn’t matter if you are poor, sick, sad or depressed, you are still brothers and sisters of the Son of God

Doesnt matter if you are hassled because of your Christian faith.

Even when our own family opposes our faith:

Psalm 27:10 “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, But the Lord will take me up.” David said

Bringing it home

Those who make fun or mock us because of our Christian faith better watch out. They need to turn from this sin

We are the family of Jesus, the Son of God.

We are of the family of the King of Kings, the Lord of lords (explain Lord)

Those who make fun would be wise to keep their mouths shut and think about what they are doing

Those they give such a hard time need to know that we have a mighty Friend: Proverbs 23:11 “For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their case against you.”

Prayer

Discussion