As we resume our journey through the Gospel of Mark (3:20-35), we come upon two intertwined stories that seem unrelated: the account of Jesus’ family’s concern for his sanity, and Jesus’ refutation of the scribes’ hypothesis that Jesus is casting out demons because He has demonic power itself. At the core of both stories, though, is Jesus’ identity: Who Jesus is. In the course of His brief exchange with the scribes and the crowd, he shares three very brief parables that speak against division but also point to His power that instead of coming from the dark side, binds and overcomes it. His power is ours. His identity is ours. His call to be agents of reconciliation, healing and deliverance - to follow Him in His footsteps - make us full brothers and sisters of the King.

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Julie Nast shares her testimony about Jesus in her life.

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After celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost last week, we return to our journey through the Gospel of Mark in Mark 3:7-19. The Kingdom of God continues to break in through Jesus and His healing, and crowds have begun to follow him. So many people are pressing in on Him that He teaches from a boat near the shore. From the crowd of followers, Jesus chooses 12 of them to fill special roles in the new Kingdom: the Apostles. Among them is the quartet of fisherman He called at the beginning, and the rest seem to be as unremarkable in their background and ability. Over the course of their close walk with Jesus, however, they are made to be better vessels, and once His Spirit is poured out upon them on Pentecost, they are brave, emboldened, articulate, fearless healers and preachers of the Gospel themselves. The ruling authorities even note the apostles’ remarkable abilities, each of them unschooled and humble, and remark that these simple men had spent time with Jesus. We are called to the same journey and are transformed, empowered, healed, and compelled by the same Spirit!

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