Family is important. For most African people, family is understood in a broad rather than narrow sense and provides a person’s primary sense of identity and purpose. In general, and unlike most Western cultures, African cultures value family or community above individuals. In a significant way, the family provides boundaries (healthy ones, if we are fortunate), helps members establish and fulfill roles, and provides a social, financial, and security network. Family helps us know who we are and why we are in this world.
This same emphasis on family and community was present in the world of the Bible – both Old and New Testaments. One of the Ten Commandments is to honour parents (Ex. 20:12). Paul instructs parents not to frustrate their children (Eph. 6:4). One’s sense of identity and purpose was also strongly grounded in the Israelite/Jewish community. One’s family and one’s community were of great importance to the people of the Bible. Therefore, Jesus’ re-definition of family in Mark 3 is both shocking and challenging!
Mark 3
From the beginning, Mark is clear about the purpose of his Gospel: “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah” (Mark 1:1, NIV). Every act of healing, teaching, preaching, and casting out of unclean spirits is meant to proclaim the good news that the Kingdom of God has broken into the world in a new and unmistakable way in the person of Jesus. But this in-breaking of God’s kingdom was challenging for the Jewish religious establishment as well as for Jesus’ own family.
Mark 3:1-6 tells of Jesus healing a man in the synagogue on the Sabbath. At this, the Pharisees (religious leaders) joined the Herodians (political leaders) and began to plot to kill Jesus. This unexpected and unusual joining of forces indicates how completely the Pharisees rejected Jesus as the Messiah. But the plots did not stop the crowds from gathering around Jesus (3:7ff).
When Jesus went up on the mountain and called disciples to him (3:13), Mark intends his readers to think of previous God-encounters on holy mountains (e.g., Moses and Elijah). The fact that Jesus appoints twelve is seen as a reconstituting or re-forming of the people of God (v. 14). Jesus appointed them “that they might be with him,” and sent them “to preach and to have authority to cast out demons” (v. 15). While this may seem to be an innocent description of events, such actions grabbed the attention of first-century Jews – and not always in a positive sense!
Those who should have known Jesus – and God – the best, are guilty of misunderstanding, even rejecting Jesus and his mission. Jesus’ own family believed he was insane (“out of his mind,” v 20) and came to take him away for his own sake! At the least, Jesus was not fulfilling the expectations for the eldest son of the family; at worst, his family thought he was delusional about his identity. The chief religious leaders from Jerusalem came, indicating just how serious of a threat they believed Jesus to be (v. 21). Their accusation against Jesus – that he is possessed by Beezebul (or Satan) and doing sorcery (driving out demons) – would result in stoning if the charges were accepted as true. Jesus points out how ridiculous their charge is (vv. 23-26), but also asserts that Satan’s kingdom is indeed under attack but not from the inside (v. 27); Jesus has launched as assault on Satan’s kingdom! Furthermore, those who call God’s work evil, and refuse to believe Jesus is the Messiah, cannot be forgiven due to their unbelief.
In v. 30, Jesus’ family comes back into focus. “Jesus’ mother and brothers” stand outside and try to call Jesus to come out to them. This is directly opposite to Jesus calling disciples to come to him (3:13). Jesus looks at those seated around him (v. 34) and makes a shocking statement: only those who do God’s will are his family, “my brother and sister and mother” (v. 35)!
Who is my family?
We must understand that this text in Mark 3 is not commanding us to ignore legitimate family and community responsibilities. Yet, if we take seriously the words of Jesus here, we will likely experience some discomfort. Jesus clearly says that only those who are close to him, and those who do God’s will – live faithfully and obediently to the will and purposes of God – belong to his family, to God’s family. Our first and highest allegiance is to God rather than to our biological family, tribe, clan, or nation.
Think about it:
1. Do I struggle with giving allegiance (loyalty) to family (or any community) above allegiance to God? If so, what does that look like?
2. How can I give my highest allegiance to God yet still honour my family (or community/nation)?
3. What changes might I need to make to be loyal to God above other relationships?
NTC wants to appreciate all pastors this month. We continue to pray that the Lord will strengthen you to continue to minister to the people in need.
Praise - for receiving QCTO accreditation!
Praise - for districts who continue to support the ministry of NTC through prayer and education budget giving!
Pray for the NTC staff who are teaching and coordinating ministerial training programmes.
Pray for VCOS Facilitator training that will take place in Lesotho and Namibia in October.
Pray for the ongoing work of writing new course materials for ministerial training.
Pray for the 9 students in ministerial training on the campus of NTC, and the ministerial students enrolled in VCOS in district learning centres.
Pray for business for GNCC to support the mission of NTC.
NTC offers short courses towards lifelong learning. We offer the courses on the third week of every month. We want to remind the pastors you are required to complete 20 hours of lifelong learning per year.
We are excited to launch a Two Part course on "Wesleyan Leadership Formation and Theology" presented by Dr. Deanna Hayden in October. Please register for the course on our website.
Next Event: 21 - 26 October 2024
Please follow the link to our website: https://www.nazarenecollege.ac.za/lifelonglearning
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