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We live in a world where most of us have to multi-task. We wear many hats at the same time. You might be a husband/wife, a mother/father, an employee and/or student, an athelete, a brother/sister and a church member. We wear all of these hats simultaneously whilee trying to fulfill every perceived or known expectation that comes with that hat. We are not alone. Jesus had to wear many hats simultanesouly. He was a son, a brother, a friend, a teacher, a Rabbi, a priest, a prophet, a king as well as a mentor and Messiah.

Some gave Him trouble -- such as His family. Mark 3:20-21 says this, "One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. (21) When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said" (NLT). The Greek New Testament word translaed as "seize" is [κρατέω, krateo] and it literally means "to seize by force with hands; to place hands on someone to control or restrict them." It is the word used when a family seizes control of a loved one who is insane or can no longer care for themself. Jesus' own family thought He has lost His mind in thinking He was some kind of Messiah. There may have been some kind of tustle or wrestling match here between Jesus and His brothers.

To them, they had to do some kind of intervention. To them, Jesus had thrown away (1) His security. He had a job in Nazareth as a carpenter.  (2) Jesus had no regard for His safety. We read later in Mark 3:22, "But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons" (NLT). The religous leaders were now opposing Him and saying He was demon possessed. (3) Jesus had no regard for societal expectations and appearnaces.

What bothered Jesus' family was He seemed oblioius to the risks He was taking, that any sane person should have seen. There are going to times when family and friends do not understand nor like what our Christian faith and faithfulness to Jesus Christ calls us to do nor the cost we are willing to pay to do it.

Jesus said this in Matthew 10:35-38, ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. (36) Your enemies will be right in your own household!’ (37) “If you love your father or mother more than you love Me, you are not worthy of being Mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than Me, you are not worthy of being Mine. (38) If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being Mine" (NLT). 

Questions: When has your Christian faith put you at odds with your family and/or friends? How did you handle it? What were the eventual results? How far are you willing to go with your obedience to Jesus Christ? Why? is there anything you think is too insane in being obedient to Jesus Christ?

Love you, Pastor Kelly

Meditate on this verse: James 1:12, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him" (NLT).

Pray this prayer: "Dear Jesus, I want to love you with all my heart, sout, mind and spirit. I want to take up my cross daily and follow You. Please use Your Holy Spirit in me to help me do this. May my life be characterized by obedience, regardless of where the pressure comes to compromise -- even if it is my own family. In Jesus' name, Amen."

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