This week, we are reading from the book of Mark and hearing a lot about Jesus’s ministry. He preached, healed the sick, showed compassion and love for people who were viewed as unlovable, and had large crowds everywhere he went. Many people, including his family, could not fully understand Jesus’s mission from God. Some people did not believe that Jesus could perform miracles. Some did not like that Jesus did things differently than them. Even Jesus’ family, His brothers and mother tried to take Him from the crowds, saying that “He was out of His mind”. But Jesus replied by saying, “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:35).” Here, Jesus is telling us that His family is anyone who does the will of God, and that includes you and me! It’s not through our qualifications, our knowledge of the Bible, how often we go to church, or our good deeds that bring us to God. It’s only through God’s love for us, and because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, that we can be called his family. How amazing is it that Jesus, who performed amazing miracles, calls us His brothers and sisters!
In this chapter, we also read about Jesus appointing His twelve disciples. He chooses twelve men to follow and learn from him, who will later go and preach about God on their own. We will later learn that although they were not qualified to teach with Jesus, they were willing to do God’s will. They spent time with Jesus, and then Jesus sent them out to preach. Just as you and I spend time with Jesus through prayer and reading the Bible, we are to go out and tell our friends and family that they too can be in the family of Jesus! We may not feel qualified, but all we have to do is be willing.
Did you know that you can be a disciple of Jesus, even as a kid? Today, Jesus calls us all to follow him and to be disciples. All you have to do is accept the invitation to follow Him, be loved by Him, and have a relationship with Him and then go and spread the good news of Jesus’s love to your friends!
Prayer: God, You are amazing and powerful! Thank You for giving us Jesus and calling us into Your family! God, help me to follow Jesus closely and to boldly tell others about Him. Amen.