Mark Reading Plan – W3D5
Week 3 | Day 5 | Mark 3:31-35
Check out all the previous readings here.
Pray
Thank God for something in your life and ask Him to speak to you through your reading and reflection today.
Bible Reading (read these verses three times slowly)
Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Reflection & Questions
Jesus was continuing to cause such controversy that his own family was saying he was crazy, and the religious were saying he was evil. We’ll read about Jesus’ response to his family tomorrow. In today’s verses, Jesus addresses the religious. The religious leaders knew Jesus’ power was supernatural. If they credited it as from God, they knew the people would wonder why they weren’t following Jesus. So they went for their only other option: this is the devil at work. How incredibly foolish. Surely, these leaders are the crazy and evil ones! Jesus puts them in their place right away saying a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. In fact, he tells them they are on the verge of being so hard hearted that they will be unable to repent (if you’re curious, read more about the unforgivable sin here). Here’s the reality: when Jesus goes to work, things will be shaken up. In fact, somethings will be torn down and sometimes we will be taken far outside our comfort zone. The question is will we trust Him in His work?
- Are you doing God’s will?
- What would it look like for you to treat fellow believers more like brothers and sisters?
Pray
Pray in response to what you’ve read and heard today.
Worship Song
Jesus calls for followers who will do God’s will. Make that your prayer today with this song:
Bible Reading
Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Reflection and Questions
Yesterday we read that Jesus’ family thought he’d gone crazy. Now they’re turning up to take him home. But Jesus wasn’t crazy and he wasn’t going to let his family stop him doing what he was doing. Instead, He lets everyone know who His ‘new’ family is: “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Does it make sense what Jesus said here? He said that His family isn’t just mom, dad, and siblings. It’s EVERYONE who says they follow Jesus! How cool is that? And how much bigger did you family just get??
Jesus is creating a new family – God’s family. A family full of people who want to change the world to be a better one, one that loves God more than anything else! If you’re a believer in Jesus, you get to be a part of a forever family like we’ve never seen before!
- Are you a believer in Jesus? Have you decided to follow Jesus in your life?
- What would it look like for you to treat fellow Jesus followers more like brothers and sisters?
Prayer
Pray about what you read today, and how you can use it in your life today.
Bible Reading
Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Devo Focus
Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother. (Vs 35)
Devo
Who do you think of when you think of the word “family?” In today’s story, Jesus gives a new and very clear definition. Yesterday we read that Jesus’ family thought he’d gone crazy. Now they’re turning up to take him home. But Jesus wasn’t crazy and he wasn’t going to let his family stop him doing what he was doing. He defies his earthly family and defines his real family: “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” If it seems shocking to us for Jesus to defy his family, it was an abomination back then. To the people of Jesus’ day, there was no one more important than family. In fact, back then brothers and sisters were often prioritized over spouses. But Jesus is creating a new family. A new brother and sisterhood. God’s family. A family full of misfits who through their love for God and each other will turn the world upside down. If you’re a believer today doing God’s will, you are Jesus’ sibling and you’re part of a truly forever family!
- Are you doing God’s will?
- What would it look like for you to treat fellow believers more like brothers and sisters?
Prayer
Pray in response to what you’ve read and heard today.
