Meeting Jesus: March 17 Jesus’ Brother

Friday of the Second Week in Lent

Read Mark 3:20–35 (31–35)

My big brother has some nerve. He’s drawing huge crowds, healing people left and right — and he’s beginning to ruffle feathers among religious leaders. People are saying he’s losing his mind. Since he’s back toward home, we decide to go talk sense into him. We even bring Mom along, figuring he’d listen to her.

We find him with a huge crowd around him. We can’t even force our way through. One of his disciples spots us, and tells him we’ve come by. As we’re standing there, in front of all our friends and neighbors, Jesus has the nerve to say that his family is “whoever does the will of God.” Sure, that’s great news to his followers — he’s saying they’re just as important as we are. But where does that leave us, his own flesh and blood? I don’t understand him sometimes.

Jesus, help me understand the privilege — and responsibility — of being adopted into your family.

Text by Jodi Craiglow

Video from First United Presbyterian Church of Belleville, IL


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