Follow in his footsteps‏

Read Mark 3:

What are the things that Jesus is doing and how are people responding to his ministry?

Jesus heals the crippled hand of a man on the Sabbath and the Pharisees vow to have him killed.

People from all over Israel came to hear Jesus preach and he healed sick people and cast out demons. The crowds were so enthusiastic he had to preach from a boat off from shore.

Jesus took twelve men and gave some symbolic names, like Peter “the rock” and selected these men to follow him.

Jesus went back home and again large crowds gathered to hear him. So the leaders of the Jews spread rumors that he was using the power of the devil to cast out demons. Jesus answered that if Satan was doing that he was sealing his own doom.

Jesus Mother and brothers came to see him. Some messengers told him that they were outside.  Jesus told them his real family was composed of those who obeyed God.

What impression do you get about Jesus from this chapter?

Jesus is set on doing God’s will in spite of what people thought about him. He had compassion on poor, sick people but he was not trying to win any popularity contests, but most people knew that he was the man who could help them. That made the religious leaders jealous and made them determined to get rid of him.

What does that say about how I practice my faith?

I should be focused on what God wants me to do and not on what others may think. If God is asking you to do something that people may not understand or appreciate I should not hesitate to do it on their account. Some call this a “holy boldness.” We are not doing things to intentionally upset people but we are not dominated by people’s opinions.

Lord, keep us on the path that leads to life. Help us not to wander into what is harmful or useless but always what is pleasing to the father. 

Amen.