SCRIPTURE: MARK 3
A MAN WITH A SHRIVELED HAND (vs. 1-6)
There was a man with a shriveled hand in the synagogue. Jesus told him to stand up in front of everyone. Then he asked them: “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? (v. 4) Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand” (v. 5). He stretched it out and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
CROWDS FOLLOW JESUS (vs. 7-12)
People from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon all came to Jesus. Jesus told his disciples to prepare a boat for him to keep the people from crowding him. Those with diseases wanted to touch him. And the evil spirits fell down and cried out: “You are the Son of God!” (v. 11). But Jesus told them not to tell who he was.
THE APPOINTING OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES (vs. 13-19)
- Simon (Peter)
- James (son of Zebedee)
- John (Boanerges – Sons of Thunder)
- Andrew
- Philip
- Bartholomew
- Matthew
- Thomas
- James (son of Alphaeus)
- Thaddaeus
- Simon (the Zealot)
- Judas Iscariot (betrayer)
JESUS AND BEELZEBUB (vs. 20-30)
The teachers of the law said Jesus is possessed by Beelzebub. By the prince of demons he is driving out demons. So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parable: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divi against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.” (vs. 23-29)
JESUS’ MOTHER AND BROTHERS (vs. 31-34)
When Jesus’; mother and brothers arrived, they stood outside and sent someone to call him. They said to Jesus: “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” (v. 32). Then Jesus asked: “Who are my mother and my brothers?” (v. 33). Talking to those seated in a circle around him, he said: “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (v. 34-35)
THOUGHTS:
Jesus was angry at the uncaring attitudes of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Anger itself is not wrong. It depends on what make us angry and what we do with our anger. Too often, we express our anger in selfish and harmful ways. By contrast, Jesus expressed his anger by healing the man’s hand. Use your anger to find constructive solutions rather than to tear people down.
Jesus warned the evil spirits not to reveal his identity because he did not want the people to think that he was the political and military leader who would free them from Rome’s control. He wanted to teach the people about the kind of Messiah he really was. Christ’s kingdom is spiritual . It begins with the overthrow of sin in people’s hearts, not with the overthrow of governments.
Jesus chose 12 disciples because the number 12 corresponds to the 12 tribes of Israel. “Apostles means “messenger or authorized representative”. Jesus did not choose the 12 apostles based on their talent, ability, status or prestige. The disciples represented a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. The most important characteristic that Jesus wants is the willingness to obey Him. So, even if you do not have the expected credentials, you will not be disqualified from service to Christ. Being a good disciple is simply following Jesus with a willing heart.
In an attempt to destroy Jesus’s popularity among the people, the teachers of law accused him of having power from Satan. Jesus replied with a parable and showed them that their argument did not make sense.
Jesus allows everyone the privilege to become part of his family members by obeying Him. The church should have warm relationship among members of God’s family through love and care.