Dear Christian friends:

Here in our text we find two opinions about Jesus which surprise and shock us. Jesus' friends and family members think He is crazy. (verse 21) And His enemies, the Law Teachers say He has a devil and casts out devils with the help of Satan, the prince of devils. (verse 22) We are surprised and shocked to read this.

But perhaps we should not be so surprised and shocked. We may think that we think better of Jesus than these people here in the text, but do we?


We may say good things and nice things about Jesus when the Pastor asks us this question. We have learned the right answers in confirmation instructions and in Bible classes and from the sermons.

And every Sunday during the worship service we join with Pastor and confess the Apostles' Creed, which says that Jesus is the eternal Son of God and Son of Mary, who suffered, died and arose from death and ascended into heaven. Also we join in prayer, praise and thanksgiving to Jesus during the worship service, But do we really believe this.

We also say that we are Christians, Jesus' friends. However I want you to notice that Jesus' family and friends thought He was crazy. Perhaps not really crazy but fanatical. Why did they think that Jesus was a fanatic? Because He worked so hard to preach, teach and heal the sick that He and His disciples did not have time to eat. (verse 20) Also Jesus was criticising and condemning the Law Teachers and Jewish Church Rulers. He and His disciples were breaking their Sabbath laws and rules. (Mark 2:23-28) Worse, Jesus said He was the Son of God, the promised Savior and that He had power to forgive sins. (Mark 2:1-13) And He accepted sinners and ate with them. (Mark 2:14-17) The Jewish Rulers and Teachers were so angry they called a meeting to discuss how they might destroy Him. (verse 6) So His family and friends thought Jesus was a little crazy. They really didn't believe in Him either. But they wanted to take Him home and hide Him and make Him stop His_work while the Jewish Rulers and teachers wanted to kill Him. Jesus' friends thought He was crazy or fanatical.

We say that we are Jesus' friends, right? Maybe we, like His friends of old think Jesus is a little bit crazy or fanatical. He does demand too much from His His disciples. He demands that we give our life fully for His use and service. He says, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for Me, you will save it." (Matthew 10: 38-39) True we will not call Jesus a fanatic or crazy, but what do we think and say when we see a strong Christian serving Jesus faithfully? Sometimes we think and say, "He is crazy, a fanatic.” I remember when I, back in 1945, agreed to serve the deaf in Montana and Spokane. At the same time I also had a call to serve in my home congregation in Santa Ana, California. But I felt Jesus wanted me to serve the deaf, since I had some training in that, too, When I decided to serve the deaf and refuse the call to Santa Ana, my mother and brothers and sisters thought I was a little crazy or fanatic. I'm happy to report that later they changed their minds. Also I remember when Elmer Francisco lived in Butte, Montana, he was one of our members there. He decided to give ten percent of his income to the Lord. Then another member who lived in Anadoda, heard about that and he told Elmer that he was crazy to give so much money for the church. Often the weak and lazy church members think that the strong and eager members are crazy.

We maybe say and confess that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of the world, but our deeds often deny what we say. Knowing Jesus with head is not the same as knowing Jesus with the heart. Intellectual assent is not equal to faith, trust, confidence, love, hope, joy, new life and faithful service.

Here in our text when Jesus heard that His mother and brothers were outside wanting Him to stop preaching and go home with them, He asked this important question: "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" Then Jesus looked around at those who were eagerly listening to Him and believed in Him and He said, "These are My mother and My brothers! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother." (verse 33-35)

What do you really think of Jesus? Do you really believe in Him and serve Him or not? Is He really your Savior and Lord? Are you His brother or sister or mother? What does your life and actions prove?

I'm sure that each one of us will need to confess with shame that while we say that Jesus is our Savior and Lord our actions often deny it. We know Jesus with our head, but not with our heart. Our hearts have not rejoiced in Him and hoped in Him; our hands have not done for Him and signed for Him; our feet have not walked for for Him and our voices have often been silent when they should have spoken.

May God touch our hearts today and show mercy to us in Jesus who died on the cross for us that we may ever have forgiveness and peace. May the Holy Spirit come to us through this preaching and take away our doubt and unbelief and give us faith, joy and enthusiasm for Jesus that we may show that we really are His family.

Let us never think wrongly about Jesus. He is our Brother, and God is His Father and our Father.

Amen.