"They'll know we are Christians by our
love.." I realized yesterday I was
mouthing the words to the instrumental offertory. The light bulb came on. I'd
been considering Mark 3:20-35 for several days.
Jesus was at a house with a crowd so large He and the disciples
couldn't eat. His family heard and came
to the house to get Him as they thought He was out of His mind. The teachers of the law came from Jerusalem
because they thought He was under the prince of demons' control.
Jesus pointed out the error in their logic.
How could Satan drive out Satan?
If Satan acts against himself, his kingdom would end. The truth was that all the sins and
blasphemies of man will be forgiven.
However, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. They thought He was an evil spirit.
Then Jesus' family arrived.
His mother and brothers sent someone to call Him. Jesus replied that those sitting in the
circle around Him were His mother, brother and sister.
My first read of these verses reminded me that Jesus really
knows how we feel when other people misunderstand us. People think we are out of our minds,
possessed by evil and refuse to listen to our logic or heed our warning. My usual response, after I control my anger, is to avoid and ignore them, to
distance myself from those who refuse to consider me worthy.
Jesus' own family, the ones who grew up with Him, thought He
had taken leave of His sensibility. How
that must hurt? The most educated
thought His teaching was derived from evil.
Yet Jesus warned them of the consequence of their thinking. And Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking, not just what they said
to Him and others but He knew every single angry and conniving thought. He even knew what would happen to Him as a
result of those thoughts, words and actions!
These verses remind me that Jesus loved us, and me, so much
that He provided the forgiveness for my wrong thoughts, my sins. He, Himself, in the midst of others' doubt,
conspiracy and misunderstanding, gave His life as a sacrifice for others'
sins. He defines love for us in these
verses. His love is displayed in
contrast to hate and confusion.
In addition, to providing the avenue for my forgiveness of
sins, He provided me with an eternal destination in Heaven and a spot in His
circle of family. In response to the world
treating Him with disrespect and challenge He looked to those sitting in a
circle with Him and declared them His true family.
Do I act like I'm a member of God's family as I travel
through this world of chaos, misunderstanding and all out evil? Does anyone see a glimpse of true love from
me? After all, I received an
overabundance of love when Jesus died on the cross for me, and others like me,
centuries ago.
When I think of the state of the world, is loving it first
on my mind? Love was first in Jesus mind. WWJD! (What Would Jesus Do?)
It's time to prepare for today and face the challenges of
the world. I usually plan what to wear
first. I'm going to put on love today because Jesus first loved me.
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