Mark, Chapter Three

Chapter Three


Verses 1-6, Lord of Sabbath, continued


Deep distress overcame Jesus because of legalists who watched to find fault instead of looking for ways to help the broken. Consider your last 24 hours. Which camp are you in: The Camp of the Legalist or the Camp of Healing the Broken?

Verses 7-12, crowds follow Jesus

Consider the frequency of these phrases in these five verses: “large crowd,” “many people,” “crowd,” “crowding him,” “pushing forward to touch him.” Think through this scene: the curious and the ill had followed Jesus.

Do you ever feel that your day is crowded with the needy, too? Do you consider those meetings a blessing?

Verses13-19, the appointing of the twelve apostles

Jesus chose 12 apostles “that they might be with him.” Consider how their association with Jesus affected their lives.

Just for fun: Jesus called James and John by another name sometimes: Sons of Thunder. If Jesus renamed you according to your personality, what might your new moniker be?

Verses 20-30, Jesus and Beelzebub

Jesus had opposition from family and from the teachers of the law who said his wonders were performed because of Jesus’ allegiance with the devil. In reply, Jesus talks about divided kingdoms and about blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. How does putting out the Spirit’s fire equate with spiritual death? Read 1 Thess. 5:19

Verses 31-35, Jesus mother and brothers

Here, Jesus asked a question and then answers it. I like that! When told that his mother and brothers awaited him, he looked at a crowd seated around him and asked, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He then declared the crowd, the followers, the learners and listeners were his mother and brothers. He said it with enthusiasm (an exclamation point follows his declaration). Explain about his spiritual family.

Summary Thought: A lot of irony and mystery permeate this chapter: While ridiculing Jesus of healing a shriveled hand on the Sabbath, the Pharisees began their plot to kill Jesus on the Sabbath, a day set aside to “recognize” God through worship. Evil spirits recognized Jesus as the “Son of God,” while the witnesses of miracles claimed his power emanated from Beelzebub, the prince of demons. May we read about, recognize, and receive Jesus with clarity.

Prayer Endings: In the name of Jesus, champion of an undivided kingdom (vs. 24), In the name of my brother Jesus (vs. 34).