Jesus offended His own family members

 

Jesus offended His own family members. 

    

Even those of His own house were offended by Him. They were not pleased with the pressure that was being put on them by what He was doing. They found it hard to believe He was behaving the way He was. Let’s look: 

    But when His own people [or “family,” NIV] heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” ...His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.” But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” —MARK 3:21, 31–35 

    His own family thought that He was out of His mind. Notice that the Scriptures say Jesus’ family went out to take Him into custody. Mark identifies those relatives as Jesus’ own mother and brothers who later found Him preaching in someone’s house. Even John’s Gospel says, “His brothers did not believe Him” (John 7:5). 

The Rock of Offense 

    Many have not realized that Jesus was rejected by those who were close to Him. But it was not the acceptance of His household He was looking for. He would not be controlled by their desires. He would fulfill the Father’s plan whether they approved or not. 

    I have seen many, especially married couples, who have not followed Jesus for fear of offending their mates or family members. As a result, they backslide or never reach the full potential of their calling. 

    When I was first born again, all the members of my family were Roman Catholics and did not share the excitement of my newly found faith. My mother in particular was very displeased with my decision to leave the church in which she brought me up. There are certainly precious Catholics who love God, but I knew God was calling me out. 

    A second blow came when I announced my decision to enter the ministry. I had just received my mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University, and my parents had high hopes for me. I knew what the Lord desired of me, and I knew it would offend those close to me. For years it was uncomfortable. There were a lot of misunderstandings. But I had decided that no matter how angry they might become, I would follow Jesus. 

    In the beginning, I tried to run them over with the gospel. I told them they were not saved just by attending mass. I pushed them to their limits. I was not wise. Then God instructed me to live the Christian life before them and let them see my good works. I still did not compromise to please them. 

    Today my parents are very supportive, and my grandfather, who fought me the most, was gloriously saved at the age of eighty-nine, two years before his death. 

Jesus’ mother and brothers may have thought He had lost His mind. But because of His obedience to the Father, they all ended up saved and in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. James, His half brother, became the leading apostle of the church in Jerusalem. 

If we compromise what God tells us in order to please our family members, we will lose the fresh oil in our lives, and we will hinder them from being set free. 

    Jesus offended His own staff. 

    In a previous chapter, we discussed in detail the viewpoint of the disciples when Jesus offended them. Let’s review it again and see it from Jesus’ perspective. Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?”...From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. —JOHN 6:60–61, 66, EMPHASIS ADDED 

    Things were already tough enough as it was. The religious leaders were plotting His death. His own hometown rejected Him. His family thought He was out of His mind. To add more pressure, many of His own staff members left offended. But Jesus still did not compromise. He just told those who were left that they were also free to go if they wanted to. 

    The only thing that mattered to Jesus was fulfilling the Father’s plan. If He had been left standing alone that day, it would not have changed His heart. He was determined to obey His Father.