There is a quote in the Bible that captured my attention yesterday. The family of Jesus told people that Jesus was “out of his mind” (Mark 3:21).
I was thinking about what the scene must have looked like. Jesus has started His public ministry. He has called His disciples who are with Him. He has driven out evil spirits. He has healed Simon’s mother-in-law. He has healed the paralytic who was let down through the roof. He cleansed a leper. Crowds were gathering where he was meeting. He declared himself Lord of the Sabbath. The crowds loved him and the Pharisees hated him.
It was in this context that Jesus was having another meeting. They were gathered at a home and it seems like it may have been around mealtime. Once again, because Jesus was there, the crowds gathered. I think about the crowds. When a crowd forms, some people are there because they know and are expecting something to happen. Others are there just because they see some people there and are wondering what is going on. And some are there because they do not like what is going on and want to disrupt it. Not everyone in the crowd had a great love for Jesus. In this case, the crowd became so big that Jesus and his disciples could not even eat (Mark 3:20).
The family of Jesus heard about this, they did not speak supportively of Jesus. They did not explain that Jesus was the Messiah. They did not explain the supernatural birth of Jesus. They did not encourage Jesus in the signs and wonders. In fact it seems that the family of Jesus was embarrassed by Jesus. No instead, when his family heard about the meeting that Jesus was having and the crowds that were gathering, “they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”” (Mark 3:21, NIV84)
The Greek word for “”take charge” speaks of “to exercise power or force over someone or something—’to have power over, to control.'” It seems that the family of Jesus was seeking to regain control of Jesus and move Jesus back to a place where everything was like it was before and their lives could be normal again. The Greek for “out of his mind” speaks of being insane, mad, irrational, senseless and confused. It becomes obvious that to His family, to many in the crowd, Jesus was crazy, moving outside the accepted boundaries and causing a commotion. They did not consider the actions of Jesus to be either decent or in order. The word is also used in other places to speak of astonishment and wondering.
So Jesus was accused by those around him to be irrational, senseless and confused. Now the religious leaders also came into play with their verdict. “And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”” (Mark 3:22, NIV84) Not only was Jesus out of his mind, but now Jesus was accused of operating in cohorts with demons. There was such a ruckus and commotion that surely this must the work of demons and not of God.
How did Jesus answer the religious leaders? He warned them to be very careful before accusing anyone of working by the power of demons. “So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided 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.” He said this because they were saying, “He has an evil spirit.”” (Mark 3:23–30, NIV84) It seems that accusing those who are moving by the Spirit of God of being demon guided is considered blasphemy against God.
How did Jesus respond to his family? “Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”” (Mark 3:31–35, NIV84) It seems that Jesus considered His call and ministry from God to be more important than the comfort of his family.
Jesus did not trouble himself with the accusations or opinions of others. He was secure in His identity and understood His purpose. He did not need the affirmation of others to give Him security in His calling or ministry.
Paul was also often accused of being out of his mind. His response was motivated by love for the people he was ministering to. “If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us.” (2 Corinthians 5:13–14, NIV84)
It seems that the natural tendency when we do not understand something is to accuse what and who we do not understand to be out of their minds and crazy. We must be very careful not to jump to conclusions. Instead, we must begin to apply ourselves to gaining a Biblical understanding. There will be much that God will do in us and through us that will look crazy and nuts to others.
I am not out of my mind, I am out of your mind. I however am seeking the mind of Christ. “”For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16, NIV84)
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