Third Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Mark 3:20-35

Jesus came home and, as usual, a crowd gathered — so many making demands on him that there wasn’t even time to eat. His friends heard what was going on and went to rescue him, by force if necessary. They suspected he was believing his own press.

The religion scholars from Jerusalem came down spreading rumors that he was working black magic, using devil tricks to impress them with spiritual power. Jesus confronted their slander with a story: “Does it make sense to send a devil to catch a devil, to use Satan to get rid of Satan? A constantly squabbling family disintegrates. If Satan were fighting Satan, there soon wouldn’t be any Satan left. Do you think it’s possible in broad daylight to enter the house of an awake, able-bodied man, and walk off with his possessions unless you tie him up first? Tie him up, though, and you can clean him out.

“Listen to this carefully. I’m warning you. There’s nothing done or said that can’t be forgiven. But if you persist in your slanders against God’s Holy Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives, sawing off the branch on which you’re sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives.” He gave this warning because they were accusing him of being in league with Evil.

Just then his mother and brothers showed up. Standing outside, they relayed a message that they wanted a word with him. He was surrounded by the crowd when he was given the message, “Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside looking for you.”

Jesus responded, “Who do you think are my mother and brothers?” Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, “Right here, right in front of you—my mother and my brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

I want to start today by offering a framing of today’s message from the thoughts of Leonard Sweet, who is an American theologian, semiotician, church historian, pastor, and author. Sweet currently serves as the E. Stanley Jones Professor Emeritus at Drew Theological School at Drew University, in Madison, New Jersey; Charles Wesley Distinguished Professor of Doctoral Studies at Evangelical Seminary; Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tabor College; and Visiting Distinguished Professor at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. Sweet is ordained in the United Methodist Church.

Anyone here like criticism?  How do you respond to criticism?  Does being criticized bring you down or fire you up? Do you want to hunker in your bunker or lob your own volley of vitriol back at your critics?

Learning how to respond to criticism is a lifetime journey.  That’s because critics will be accompanying you from the cradle to the grave.

In every election year there is no shortage of negative, critical remarks flying around the airwaves.  Of course, all politicians virtuously claim they hate “negative” ads.  And, of course, every candidate uses them.  The justification for both sides is ‘negative ads work’. Surveys allegedly show that those nasty, negative, often highly personal attacks are the most effective way of swaying public opinion. Negativity, bad mouthing, accusatory honking profoundly changes the way we think and the way we act.

In a Charlie Brown cartoon, little brother Linus, looking very forlorn, asks big sister Lucy, ‘Why are you always so anxious to criticize me?’ Lucy, looking very self-righteous, replies, ‘I just think I have a knack for seeing other people’s faults.’ Linus turns indignant. ‘What about your faults?’  he asks.

‘I have a knack for overlooking them,’ says Lucy.

Unfortunately, those best at hurting and critiquing us are those closest to us.

In this week’s reading and last week’s, Jesus is beset by all manner of critics… accusing him of breaking the law last week and this week first concerned about his metal capacity and then he must be in league with Saten. The religious leaders, friends of the family and his actual family were all bringing their agenda to him with pointed critics of almost everything he did or said.

In all the criticism flying around was lost the simple logic of serving God. The simple logic of family, the simple logic of inclusivity and last but not least by any means, being united in the Christ.

Let’s begin by understanding the notion of the “Family of God.” In this passage, Jesus redefines familial relationships, extending them beyond biological ties to include all who do God’s will. This radical redefinition is a call to inclusivity and unity under the banner of Christ.

We see in verses 33-35, Jesus asks a rhetorical question: “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He then answers by pointing to those around Him and declaring, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Through this statement, Jesus invites us to see each other as part of a greater family – the family of God. It’s a family that transcends societal, racial, and cultural boundaries. Simple logic dictates that if we are all children of God, then we are all siblings in Christ.

The second piece of simple logic is inclusivity. Jesus’ ministry was inclusive and welcoming to all – Jews, Gentiles, tax collectors, sinners, men, and women alike. Sexual orientation and gender identity were not an issue at least with Jesus. His inclusive approach was revolutionary and often controversial. In fact, it is probably one of many reasons he was assassinated.

In Mark 3:20-35, we see how the religious leaders accused Jesus of being possessed. Their narrow-mindedness prevented them from seeing the truth of His mission. They were quick to exclude and label, yet Jesus consistently demonstrated inclusivity.

Inclusivity in the realm of God means breaking down barriers, challenging prejudices, and welcoming all into the fold. It’s about recognizing that everyone, regardless of their background, has a place in God’s family. Jesus’ simple logic here is awesome as well as profound: by uniting in God’s will, we become part of a diverse yet harmonious family.

Lastly, let us connect the third point that of uniting in Christ. Jesus’ simple logic about a divided house not standing (verses 24-25) speaks to the importance of unity. As followers of Christ, our strength lies in our unity. Divisions weaken us and impede the mission God has for us. They push us into isolation and serious depression.

In verse 27, Jesus uses the analogy of a strong one’s house to illustrate the need for unity and strength in carrying out God’s work. To plunder the strong one’s house, we must first bind the strong person. This signifies that to accomplish God’s will, we must first overcome the forces that seek to divide us. We must stand firm in the face of hate, misinformation and criticism based on strictly following the rules, dogmas and creeds.

As the family of God, we are called to unite in love, purpose, and mission. Our differences should not divide us but enrich our collective strength. In Christ, we find our common ground and our unity.

As we reflect on Jesus’ teachings. Let us embrace the simple yet profound logic He gives us:

Family of God: We are all part of a greater family, united by our commitment to doing God’s will.
Inclusivity: The realm of God is inclusive, welcoming all who seek to follow Christ.
Unity in Christ: Our strength lies in our unity, as we overcome divisions and work together for God’s glory.

This week let us take up the challenge to live out these principles in our daily lives, fostering a community that embodies the love, inclusivity, and unity that Jesus taught. When we think of Gentle Spirit and our work in the community, may we be an example of the Family of God, here on earth, bringing this light to the world.

God Bless you and Amen.