ARE YOU NUTS? IF YOU FOLLOW JESUS, EVEN YOUR OWN FAMILY MAY THINK SO!
Mark 3:20-21,31-35 NLT
[20] 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. [31] Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. [32] There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” [33] Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” [34] Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. [35] Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
“LET THE AWKWARD MOMENTS BEGIN”
Awkward moments will rear their uncomfortable head after you become a Christian, if many in your family haven’t. The family may be the most difficult place to be a witness for Jesus. To be the first or only Christian may go against the grain. Your faith may be misinterpreted as criticism. Your zeal may be misunderstood. You may be accused of being a hypocrite because other areas of your life still fall short of Christ’s ideals. Uncommitted people may view your new commitment to the Bible as unreasonable bigotry.
Family members require the most patience. They see you at your worst when your guard is down. Remember that Christ’s family rejected and ridiculed him. Jesus knows what you face by trying to be a witness for him in your own family. Stay true to your faith. Don’t respond negatively to the attacks that may come. Over time, your love for your family will have a positive effect.
“QTIP”
- Quit
- Taking
- It
- Personal
Family and others will take your devotion to Jesus as Lord possibly as a threat or judgement toward them. Don’t take it personal, remember the verse below.
Ephesians 6:12 NLT
[12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
“THE DARKNESS CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE LIGHT”
John 1:9-11 NLT
[9] The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. [10] He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. [11] He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.
The more effective you are in your Christian life, the more extreme will be the attacks of the enemy. Even the most ridiculous accusation will convince some when it’s cleverly packaged to sound sincere and concerned. Stand firm for the truth, even when clever attacks come.
Mark 3:22-27 NLT
[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.” [23] Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. [24] “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. [25] Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. [26] And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive. [27] Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger-someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.
These teachers of the law brought a nonsensical accusation against Jesus. They tried to say that Jesus was driving out demons by the power of the prince of demons—in other words, that Jesus’ power came from Satan, not God. They wanted the people to believe that Jesus himself was possessed (Mark 3:30). This would disprove his claim as the Messiah and place him instead in league with the devil.
From an Unworthy servant,
Chris Chloupek
Lead Evangelist