Thursday, December 12, 2013

Thoughts on Mark 3: Jesus chose his own family

In Mark 3 we see Jesus choosing those with whom he will closely associate.  He effectively rejects his biological family (unless you adhere to the Roman Catholic position on Mary's virginity, in which case he rejected his step-brothers) and chooses 12 men to be his close followers.  And some of these 12 were odd choices.  For instance, one was a tax collector--someone who essentially sold out his Jewishness in order to make money from the Romans.  Then Jesus selected someone who was described as a "zealot".  Although we aren't certain about this, Simon the Zealot was probably a militaristic pro-Israel, anti-Rome guy (which would have made hanging out with Matthew the tax collector quite interesting).  Then we have a few fishermen, someone best known for doubting him after the resurrection, and some guys who never seemed to make a major mark.  On, and we can't forget that the one who seemed to have the most going for him, Judas, was the one who ended up turning on Jesus.  So, yeah, this was an odd group of people Jesus had following him around.  But, it must have sent a message, especially in the dismissive way he treated his family.

Let me emphasize that this is not the end result of Jesus' family relations.  Before his death, he instructed John to take care of his mother.  At least two of his brothers became prominent in the Jerusalem church.  There appeared to be a family reconciliation.  But, for his ministry years, Jesus chose his own, eclectic family through whom he would eventually reach the world.

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