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Third Sunday after Pentecost (year b)
Proper 5 (10)

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Texts & Discussion:
1 Samuel 8:4-11, 16-20
Psalm 138 or
Genesis 3:8-15
Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
Mark 3:20-35

Other Resources:

Commentary:

Matthew Henry,    Wesley

Word Study:
Robertson

This Week's Themes:

Trusting in God Our King
The Family of God
 Being Witnesses for God

 

 


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Sermons:

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The Family of God,
based on Mark 3:20-35, (and 1 Corinthians 12:7-13)
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

Picture this scene: Jesus is teaching the people, he’s involved in the work of the kingdom. The people had gathered to hear him teach. It was probably a gathering much like our worship service this morning.

When his mother and brothers arrived at the scene to see him, Jesus ignores them. Someone must have seen Jesus’ family arrive, or somehow his family got the attention of a person close to Jesus. Whatever may be the case, Jesus was informed of their arrival and his reaction is ….surprising, to say the least. Jesus exact words were: “My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

What was that all about? Why did he not want to greet his family? It would have only taken a couple of minutes to greet them, he could have easily taken a break from teaching.

How can we understand what was happening here? Could it be that Jesus was embarrassed by his family?

I used to be embarrassed by my family… I don’t know about your relatives, but I always thought I had the weirdest family. When we had family get-togethers, I was embarrassed to invite friends over, esp. because of uncle Gunther. The man had no manners. He would just blurt out whatever he was thinking, and he would also burp right there at the table. It was ugly. And then there was great ant Elfriede. She could never get our names straight, no matter how often you corrected her. And what embarrassed me most was the bragging that was going on when we got together. Does anybody else have relatives like that? Or am I the only one. But I tell you what, when I think back to those holiday dinners now, I think of them as the good old times, because at least I was blessed to have a family, and I was able to be together with my family. And, yes, in an emotional moment of homesickness I would even admit that I miss uncle Gunther. There is just nothing like family, and he was a part of our family--bad manners and all.


When you think about the fact that Jesus was so supportive of his mom throughout the gospel readings, perhaps its unlikely that he was embarrassed about them. Remember how he made provisions for her even on the cross he was nailed to.

So, perhaps Jesus was too busy doing church work. By not taking time for his family is Jesus saying that we should no longer make our families the number one priority? It is no secret that pastors and leaders in the church have lost their families over giving the church ministry the highest priority. In fact, according to a survey by Newsweek some time ago, the divorce rate among pastors is over 50%, same as the rest of the population in this country.

Some have speculated that there is a bit of hypocrisy involved here; while preachers lay down the law on their flock, they are no better when it comes to relationships than anybody else. However, we should not forget that the stress on pastors and their families is often horrendous. That’s why we need to pray for our pastors and spiritual leaders in our community.

Given the fact that the bible is clear on the fact that church need to be shining examples and role models when it comes to marriage and childrearing, I very much doubt that Jesus’ message is: church work is more important than our close family relationships. [continue]