Mark 3

Well, Jesus is healing and in trouble again in chapter 3. Notice that the religious authorities are looking for a reason to accuse Jesus. Jesus upsets the status quo and the entrenched ways of "the religious system." This system is a far cry from the living God of the Old Testament and the one who Jesus knows intimately. That God wants to free up people from illness and sin and not enslave them in a mystery of rules and procedures. Probably the biggest accusation of this religious group will be "working" (healing) on the Sabbath, breaking the 4^th Commandment.

Notice that Jesus is disappointed with people who remain silent so that their hypocrisy will not show. Jesus makes the leaders so mad that they even work with their enemies in secular government.

Disciples are the "followers" (a loose term) of Jesus. Apostles are the close chosen group who will go out with a mission to do what Jesus did. They have a mission away from Jesus.

Jesus tries to withdraw but cannot get away from people because he is changing so many lives for the better. Wouldn't it be great if we, St. Andrew's, were so faithful that we attracted people similarly? We could. It's up to us.

Jesus keeps his identity as the Messiah or Son of God a secret in Mark, maybe because he knows all the problems it would cause, thereby taking up all his time and lessening his impact in ministry. Jesus does get labeled as a worker for another "god." Notice how much we label people, especially in this political season – such as "unpatriotic" if we disagree. Jesus point to the fact that unity – basic underlying agreement on the foundational principles of life – makes us powerful. Jesus points out that all sins are forgiven except when hardness of heart turns us into our own godly authority (i.e. when our opinion is all that counts and we will not bow to God's authority over us.) People are lost once they think they have all the answers and do not need to change.

Even Jesus' family thinks he is crazy. Imagine caring so much about what God wants in your life that your own family wonders about you?

Jesus ends with his family being those who do God's will. Are you a brother or sister of Jesus?