Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Mark 3:13-35
Set – Numbers 16; Mark 3
Go! – Numbers 14-16; Mark 3
Mark 3:13-35
13 Jesus called together a select group of His followers and led them up onto a mountain. 14 There He commissioned them the twelve. [Later He calls them His emissaries.][a] He wanted them to be with Him. He sent them out to spread the good news 15 and to cast out evil spirits [and heal diseases].[b] 16 Here are the names of the original twelve: Simon (whom Jesus called Peter, meaning “the rock”), 17 James and John (the sons of Zebedee, whom Jesus called “the Sons of Thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew (the tax collector, also called Levi), Thomas, James (the son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon of Canaan (who was also called “the Zealot”), 19 and Judas Iscariot (who one day would betray Jesus to the authorities in Jerusalem so God’s purpose could be fulfilled).20 Jesus and His disciples went into a house to eat, but so many people pressed in to see Jesus that they could not be served. 21 When Jesus’ family heard about this craziness, they went to drag Him out of that place.
Jesus’ Family (to one another): Jesus has lost His mind.
22 The scribes, for their part, came down from Jerusalem and spread the slander that Jesus was in league with the devil.
Scribes: That’s how He casts out demons. He’s casting them out by the power of Beelzebul—the ancient Philistine god—the prince of demons.
23 When Jesus heard this, He tried to reason with them using parables.
Jesus: Listen. How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 A kingdom that makes war against itself will collapse. 25 A household divided against itself cannot stand. 26 If Satan opposes himself, he cannot stand and is finished.
27 If you want to break into the house of a strong man and plunder it, you have to bind him first. Then you can do whatever you want with his possessions. 28 Listen, the truth is that people can be forgiven of almost anything. God has been known to forgive many things, even blasphemy. 29 But speaking evil of the Spirit of God is an unforgivable sin that will follow you into eternity.
30 He said this because the scribes were telling people that Jesus got His power from dark forces instead of from God.
31 When Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived, they couldn’t break through the crowd, so they sent word in to Jesus that He should come out to them. 32 The crowd was pressed in tight around Him when He received the message, “Your mother and brothers [and sisters][c] are waiting outside for You.”
33 Jesus looked around.
Jesus (answering them): Who are My mother and brothers?
He called into the silence. No one spoke.
34 At last His gaze swept across those gathered close, and Jesus smiled.
Jesus: You, here, are My mother and My brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is My true family.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
Until you are born of both water and the Spirit, you really can’t understand Jesus’ comment about those around Him being His mother and His brothers. Once adopted into the true family of God, things change for you. Sometimes, your earthly family embraces you because they too are part of My family. Sometimes, though, you will find yourself ostracized by your earthly family when you let Me decide the direction for your life. You will no longer be welcome in the circle you once inhabited, even among your family.
I see it happen over and over again as men and women harden their hearts, sometimes to their own children. You would think that a mother’s love would overcome such bitterness and evil in the heart of humankind, but it doesn’t. They think personal momentary pleasure outweighs the eternal gain of following Me because of the darkness in which the world walks. Of course, it never works. The consequences of fallowing your own way, your own wisdom always ends in disaster. Many who have gone before you can tell you the pain and misery they endured because of the consequences of their actions.
So My children get misunderstood, get pushed aside, get persecuted, suffer, even die because of the message of peace and hope they share with their lost and dying friends and family. The barbs of truth cut deeply into the hearts of men and women and the pain causes an immediate reaction. One of either hatred and a desire to quiet the voice of My messenger or one of repentance and weeping at My altar seeking the hope I can give them through the forgiveness of their sins.
Some people try to ride the fence and take neither side, but it doesn’t work. You see, men’s minds are bent toward evil because of the carnal nature that comes as a result of Adam’s sin. So the fence walkers tilt toward evil and always fall off the fence. They can’t stay there. They can’t walk that think rail. They will always fall to the side of evil unless they come to a place of repentance and complete reliance on Me.
Those that come to Me, though, I forgive. I give hope. I adopt into My family. They always have a host of brothers and sisters ready to support them, love them, care for them, treat them like the brothers and sisters they are. When adopted into My family, you are never alone.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.