“Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family[b] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” 22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” Mark 3.20-22
Have you ever felt misunderstood? When you knew that what you were doing made total sense but others were uncertain of the direction of your decisions? It’s not that you couldn’t explain yourself — it’s that your explanations fell on deaf ears.
It reminds me of a time in a previous ministry in which I was making disciples, seeing students make decisions for Christ and respond to ministry, and the church leadership (including the Bishop) failed to see the value. These leaders were focused on other metrics and I just couldn’t make them see what God was doing among us. It was so frustrating! I completely felt misunderstood.
Jesus must have felt similar frustrations when his own family thought he was “out of his mind.” The NIV literally uses that phrase. Another word? Crazy. His family, brothers and sisters and perhaps Mary at times, thought Jesus was nuts. I mean, why not? Remember the time he was twelve and was lost from them for several days? They found him in the Temple, teaching the teachers. And they knew they had on their hands an eccentric kid!
As was customary, Jesus entered a house and a crowd gathered (v.20). It was too packed for his disciples to get food. Finally his family heard about this and they came to “take charge of him,” which is laughable in its own right! In addition to his family thinking he was crazy, the Jewish leaders thought he was possessed by a demon.
Jesus was often misunderstood. He knows the feeling. He was rejected from birth to his death. Even now, when the church is alive and well, and his Spirit is moving in this world, Jesus is targeted and blamed for many things he never did or had a hand in. Which goes back to the whole spiritual battle thing — the spirit of this world (the devil) wants to kill, steal and destroy and God is his prime enemy. And the devil will use humanity to do his dirty work!
Even though Jesus was misunderstood, he remained faithful to God’s call. He did not give upon on humanity while he walked this earth, he continued to heal, perform miracles and save the sin sick sinners. And he has not stopped now. Jesus continues saving souls, redeeming lost people and healing those who are broken. Regardless of what popular opinion says about Christ, he is on a mission to restore all people to the Father.
Have you been restored by this misunderstood God? Is he your King, your Life, your Lord? Let’s place our hope in Jesus, the author and perfecter of our souls.
“O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for loving your people. Thank you for not giving up on us, even when we want to give up on ourselves. Come now, Holy Spirit, and make your way into our very souls. Help us walk according to your ways and be filled with your Spirit. I love you Lord and praise your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen