"Standing for the Jesus Party" - Reflections on Mark 3:7-35

In Mark 3, we again see enthusiastic crowds chasing Jesus from far and wide, so much so that Jesus had to get into a boat to avoid being crushed. This on the surface was a great response to Jesus, yet what was the crowd’s agenda – were they sincere or just seeking all they could get from him according to their personal desires. In the same breath we also read of the presence of “unclean spirits” who fall down at Jesus’ feet recognising their dire predicament; they were ready to identify who Jesus truly was, yet with the intent of subverting Jesus’ mission. The correct human response to Jesus would have to come purely through faith. Jesus will go on to talk in parables, which will only be understood through the ears of faith. Thus it was timely to now name those who were really ‘standing for the Jesus party’.

Having gone up a mountain, denoting that Jesus was acting in accord with God, Jesus called to twelve guys to come up to him, designating them for special service as his disciples and apostles. When called, they unhesitatingly “came to him”. These would spend quality time with Jesus, and would be entrusted to represent the saving and healing mission of God wherever they went. This ‘coming to Jesus’ has been described as “unreserved discipleship” – coming to Jesus means that he becomes their new and single goal in life.

Here in verse 14 are the two elements of the disciples’ job description: (i) “to be with Jesus” & (ii) to be sent out on mission … with the message of the gospel, and with Jesus’ power to heal. You might think it would be difficult to hold these two things together! The original disciples would spend three years with Jesus in person (part of that on mission), and then carry on with mission in Jesus’ absence; yet Jesus (following his resurrection) promised to be with his disciples to the end of the age. We ourselves can come to Jesus in repentance and obedience and commitment, be empowered for mission, head out onto the road, and also know that Jesus travels with us. So indeed we can “be with Jesus” and be on the road (of mission) at the same time.

“Twelve” is a number reminiscent of the twelve tribes of Israel; this new “twelve” however will represent a changing of the guard – they will be the foundational figures of a renewed Israel. They will represent God’s ultimate redemptive activity on behalf of historic Israel, yet also be the foundation stones of Jesus’ mission to all the peoples of the earth.

Still though, the jury was out on how well they would go! This list would include the four fishermen called to be disciples in chapter one – Simon Peter, Andrew, James & John. Matthew is probably Levi the former toll collector who hosted Jesus in his home. These ones had certainly left their careers and businesses behind to follow Jesus wherever this took them. Yet lurking at the end of the list is Judas, who seemed to be on board, yet we know that this selection didn’t turn out so well. Mark reminds us early on (v.19 - “Judas … who betrayed him”) that being in ‘the people business’ has risks attached to it (and again for Jesus the cross looms large)!

At this time Jesus heads home to be with his family and have some time to eat, yet crowds, controversy and opposition are at hand. One would have thought that the relatives of Jesus would have been on board, but they with others were suggesting that Jesus was showing signs of insanity, and therefore should be restrained. Then the religious leaders who were stalking him were actually suggesting he was demon possessed. In these times it was a fine line between mental illness and demon possession. The suggestion was, from both family and religious authorities … that Jesus was not who he claimed to be.

So Jesus told little parables to highlight the absurdity of their claims – the suggestion of Satan casting himself out is ridiculous; that Jesus is clearly not the ally of Satan, but rather the answer to Satan – the Light that vanquishes darkness. Then as we move into verses 28 & 29 we encounter the great danger of persisting down the self-destructive track of hardheartedness … “but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness”. What does this mean?

First we have to see that this text is preceded by a reminder of the breadth and depth of the availability of God’s forgiveness. But then we see that we have to actually want that forgiveness. We have to accept Jesus for who he truly is, if we are to access that forgiveness. Those who say that Jesus acts on behalf of Satan are belligerently denying the saving acts of God through Jesus. They are turning their backs on this, and worse, they are seeking to take other people down that disastrous path with them. Such people are therefore, sadly, condemning themselves; for they are undermining what is most central to God’s heart. Such people are grieving the Holy Spirit because they are suggesting that Jesus is acting by some other spirit, not God’s Spirit! There is a choice; we have to be prepared to be humble enough to know we need God’s mercy, and then be ready to receive this forgiveness. God leaves this decision with us! God does not force Himself on us.

We then have this troubling little epilogue in verses 31-35. Jesus’ family probably thought they had his best interests at heart, and were probably calling for him so that he could get away from the crowd and have something to eat. Also, in their passing on of the message in verse 32, members of the crowd would have been aware of Jesus’ cultural responsibilities to his family. Yet Jesus won’t accede to the wishes of those who just don’t get it (not yet at least), which at this time includes members of his family; Jesus won’t let anything stand in his way of reaching out to those who will accept him, his message, and God’s offer of forgiveness. Indeed Jesus is expressing the heart and will of God in his every word and action!

What Jesus says here might sound unkind (v.33-5), yet he wasn’t really being directly demeaning to his family. Rather Jesus was being uplifting to his disciples (that were here sitting around him), and also, all those who follow their example. Jesus was taking this opportunity to point out the value of those who were aligning themselves with Jesus (represented by the disciples that had been listed earlier). We think of our family as those who are most intimately connected to us. Jesus here was highlighting the intimacy, relationship and connectedness that he would be experiencing with his disciples, and all those who indeed do the will of God – v. 35. It is very heartening to know that we can be part of Jesus’ most intimate family unit – his spiritual family! Those who attach themselves to Jesus as disciples are more than just friends, they are family – sisters and brothers of Jesus.

Being divided from one’s birth family is not a condition of discipleship, but it may well be a consequence of it. Members of Mark’s Jesus following community around 70 CE may have been kicked out of their families because they had chosen Jesus, yet here they are encouraged that they have been wholly accepted in the eternal family of Jesus. These have been bonded to Jesus through their seeking to fulfil the purposes of God. We probably have not experienced this level of rejection by relations, however there may be tensions in our families because of our commitment to Jesus (maybe just because of where our priorities now lay) – we too are being reminded that we have been adopted into the greatest family of all, where there lies unconditional love and amazing grace!

Jesus will continue to seek to break through the hardheartedness of others through the integrity of his life, his desire to bring healing, by telling startling little stories with relevant truths; and when all else fails … dying on a cross so that humankind would always have the chance of forgiveness and a new start.