Are You Crazy?
Have you ever done something that has made others think you are crazy?
Perhaps you’ve given up a good job, sold your house in a nice area, taken on something that you never thought you would, followed the call of God in your life?
Jesus and the Ruler of Demons
20 Jesus went back home, and once again such a large crowd gathered that there was no chance even to eat. 21 When Jesus’ family heard what he was doing, they thought he was crazy and went to get him under control.
22 Some teachers of the Law of Moses came from Jerusalem and said, “This man is under the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons! He is even forcing out demons with the help of Beelzebul.”
23 Jesus told the people to gather around him. Then he spoke to them in riddles and said:
How can Satan force himself out? 24 A nation whose people fight each other won’t last very long. 25 And a family that fights won’t last long either. 26 So if Satan fights against himself, that will be the end of him.
27 How can anyone break into the house of a strong man and steal his things, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can take everything.
28 I promise you that any of the sinful things you say or do can be forgiven, no matter how terrible those things are. 29 But if you speak against the Holy Spirit, you can never be forgiven. That sin will be held against you forever.
30 Jesus said this because the people were saying that he had an evil spirit in him.
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
31 Jesus’ mother and brothers came and stood outside. Then they sent someone with a message for him to come out to them. 32 The crowd that was sitting around Jesus told him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside and want to see you.”
33 Jesus asked, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” 34 Then he looked at the people sitting around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 35 Anyone who obeys God is my brother or sister or mother.”
Jesus’ family heard what he was doing – and they thought he was crazy. Nice to have some family support! You would have thought that those who grew up with Jesus might have grasped something of what he was about – but clearly not! Perhaps they were trying to save him from the danger they could see coming, perhaps they were embarrassed by his association by the family name, who knows, but they wanted him back under control.
The Teachers of the Law wanted him stopped. They claimed he was under the power of a demon. What warped logic is that? How could someone be freeing people of demons in the name of that demon – that makes no sense, as Jesus points out.
Jesus is facing people on all sides who want him to calm down, rein it in, and start to live a normal life. He’s showing them up, and they don’t like it.
Is that how Christian life is for you?
Are there people who would really rather prefer it if you weren’t a Christian; or if you really must be that you tone it down? Are there those who accuse you of having got it wrong and want you to return to a “normal” life?
I’ve never know that, but I know some do. The constant questioning of what you’re doing, why you bother, do you need to, are you crazy?
Does it help to know that Jesus had that too? Even the Son of God was challenged about living the way he did.
Jesus has invited us to a new way, to be a part of a new family – his family. We’re not crazy for following him, for trying to live by God’s ways.
Thank you Lord
that in you I find true sense in life;
a purpose
and a reason.
I pray for those who do not see it that way,
that they may find the truth of you.
And for those who are persecuted by others because of their faith,
we pray for your strength and courage,
to continue to stand with you,
and live as part of your family
Pam's Perambulation 