Reflecting on Mark's Gospel - Mark 3:31-35

The earlier comment about Jesus’ family wishing to remove him from the scene, very possibly for his own safety, is now addressed with a report of his mother and brothers calling him to go to and with them. (Sisters are not mentioned in the initial reference to the family presence, though they are in some of the early versions when it comes to reporting the message that was conveyed. It seems likely that the whole family were present, and that it included sisters.)

It is interesting that they did not go into the house to speak with him in person. They simply sent a message. It is likely the house was crowded, and that may have contributed to that decision, but we might assume that space would be made for his brothers, and certainly his mother, to have direct access to him. Of course, it may be that they assumed that he would go with them, in which case it would have been easier for the family, including Jesus, to depart the scene if he exited the house, rather than the whole family having to press pass a crowd of folk who did not want him to leave.

However, Jesus does not go to them, instead making a comment in which he appears to distance himself from them. He is told that his mother and brother and sisters are asking for him. He replies, verse 35, whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.

I do not see this, in the first instance, as a rejection of family, but it places a marker with respect to priorities and the placing of his first allegiance. As Warren Carter (Mark) comments – “Jesus declares that his mother, brothers, and sisters are those who do the will of God. His declaration redefines his family, reconstituting a new group of followers based not on lineage or fertility (women producing children) but on praxis: “doing the will of God.” Since this mandate applies to all followers, the new household is marked by equality and solidarity. In considering this alternative family in relation to doing God’s will, Jesus expresses tension with his own family of origin.” Carter adds – “Likewise, followers of Jesus must place this community first, thereby also creating tensions.”

Christians will recognise the joy of being part of God’s family. For many, that has little, if any, impact with respect to creating to domestic tension. However, that is not universally true. I wonder, for all of us, whether we need to give more priority to being part of God’s family, in other words to walking God’s way of discipleship. I wonder what it feels like when that creates real tension, and how I would react.