S - Mark
3:20-22, (NIV): "Then he [Jesus] went home. Such a large crowd gathered
again that Jesus and his disciples couldn't even eat. When his family heard
about it, they went to restrain him, because they kept saying, 'He's out of his
mind!' The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem kept repeating, 'He has
Beelzebul,' and, 'He drives out demons by the ruler of demons.'"
O - What
a "great" welcome home. His
family is thinking he's out of his mind. The religious leaders have assessed
and concluded that he himself is demonized and is only able to eject demons by
Satan himself. Home may be where
"they have to let you in" but it doesn’t mean they're thinking the
best of you or your activities. Jesus will
go on to affirm his true family (those who do the will of God) and his home
(not in this world). It is this way for
all who are his. Even when we're home on
earth we're not home yet. And as for the
assessment of others Jesus tells us all (Luke 6:26): "How terrible it will
be for you when everyone says nice things about you, because that's the way
their ancestors used to treat the false prophets."
A -
Well, I can say that this dynamic and expert assessment has been a part of my
life's experience. It really does feel
terrible but Jesus wants me to not believe how it feels but to trust his
description of how it actually is. He is
the perfect human and yet his family relations and the opinion of those with
influence are far from what one would expect.
While I can postulate many reasons as to why this is so, Jesus is really
not talking much about it. Apparently he
wants me/us to know that this will happen and to be unintimidated or
disheartened by it. While it is never a
comfortable dynamic there is a silver lining. Not only has he left me/us this
example but he comes near when these dark occurrences cast their shadow over
our lives. The shadows can't remain … he is life, light, love and hope. He dispels darkness and says to all who
follow: do not be discouraged because I am with you; do not be dismayed because
all authority is mine and I am with you and for you.
P - Lord
who knows all about earth,
Thank you for wanting to be
near even when our hearts hurt and our minds misfire and emotions are strong
and dark. You not only know the way you
are the way … and you have loved us first and most and won't change your
mind. Let me love all, especially those
who are set in opposition to me. Let me
be like you and live out loud the beauty of the freedom of forgiveness. Jesus, today, I will follow, stay near and
believe. My heart is open to you.
I love you back,
Steve
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