Some Occasional Realities of Ministry | Mark 3:20–21

20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

After His time away, Jesus returns to where He had been staying in Capernaum.  However, nothing is as it was.  Whereas the ministry had been smaller and localized, everyone now comes to Him.  Opinions are formed, and we see in these two verses two undesirable, yet true aspects of our Lord’s ministry.

First, it’s hectic.  In v. 20, we see a bit of what Moses must have felt in Exodus 18.  Even with the apostles assisting, they cannot find the time for a meal.  This teaches us that a hectic ministry schedule isn’t always the result of sin or mismanagement.  As Galatians 6:9–10 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Second, it’s opposed by those near and dear.  In the following verses, we will read of the growing opposition.  The surprise here is that His family opposes Him, and they appear again in v. 31 to pull Him away.  It may be that the scribes have already visited them with their twisted reasoning and threats, or perhaps His family concluded on their own that He’s mentally unstable.  Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown” (Lk 4:24), and that proverb plays itself out here. 


While many a newly converted Christian are blessed with support from parents, siblings, etc., others shouldn’t be surprised to find ridicule and scorn.  Some ministers of the gospel don’t have family in their churches because they come from godless backgrounds.  Even if a family is comprised of supposed believers, sometimes they sinfully refuse to forgive that black sheep washed white.  While such situations bring sorrow, take heart in the new family of God; “For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (v. 35).

Popular posts from this blog

RE: "Pastor Dayna Muldoon EXPOSED"

Image
It enough to make your heart ache.  "Pastor" Dayna Muldoon  has been pitching her tent in Florida, and like Todd Bentley before , false claims to miracles, healing, and prophecies litter her campsites. This video of a Calvary Chapel pastor exposing her as a false prophet has been appearing in various places, and its been uploaded to YouTube multiple times.  Even Todd Friel got animated about this , and nothing gets him hyper. Here's the deal: Muldoon set up her tent-meetings right down the road from Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg , peeking the interests of many attending the church.  When they listened to the message she presented, however, they found it not to be the Gospel, but instead the typical narcissistic message of health and blessings from God. This is coming from a Calvary Chapel crew, folks that are typically non-cessationists themselves.  Many churches, including this particular Calvary Chapel , host after-glow services where one expects similar claims
Click to read more...

Was Rebekah a child when she married Isaac?

Did Isaac marry a three-year-old?  If you've never pondered this question, it's because nothing in the straightforward reading of the text would suggest that Rebekah was a toddler or that their marriage was arranged. Even so, a couple of verses out of context could be used by skeptics to prove anything.  While perusing the web for a related topic, however, I found a thread stating that the Bible isn't against the raping of children .  The cited evidence was this issue, the claim being that Isaac engaged in pedophilia. The question comes from the fact that Genesis 22:23 announces the birth of Rebekah after the binding of Isaac.  Tradition states that Isaac was then thirty-seven, and Scripture says that the two wed when Isaac was forty (Gn 25:20).  Hence, Isaac robbed the cradle. The whole theory is fraught with assumptions, the primary being that Scripture never records a age marker for Rebekah.  Further complicating the matter, however, is Jewish tradition, which spe
Click to read more...

MacArthur: Calvinism in a Nutshell

Image
From YouTube: Calvinism (Also know by Doctrines of Grace or Reformed theology) John MacArthur use Romans 8:28-30 as main text. The five points of calvinism are Total depravity (total inability), Unconditional election, Limited atonement (Also called particular redemption or definite atonement), Irresistible grace (also called efficacious grace), and Perseverance of the saints. Full sermon http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/90-427 Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. And these whom He predestined, He also called. And these whom He called, He also justified. And these whom He justified, He also glorified."
Click to read more...