Serious about obedience

At least one of my family members has called me “crazy” because I believe and follow Jesus Christ. I’m not sure what offends them. It might be that I’ve done something out of line and their complaint is legitimate. If not, then I am comforted by these verses.

Then (Jesus) went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.” (Mark 3:20–21)

As the crowd gathered and Jesus taught them, His family arrived. They sent a messenger to fetch Him. The text does not say what they planned to do with Him once they got hold of Him, but that was not about to happen.

And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:31–35)

His response was strong. He did not do as His mother asked. Instead, He expressed that having a relationship with Him based on “doing the will of God” is stronger than all family ties. He was deeply serious about obedience to God.

For me, being that serious about obedience has gone through some growing pains. At first, I thought I was, but then learned it was mostly emotion and not a very deep commitment.

Then I went through a time when it seemed that no matter how hard I tried, I could not do anything right. God taught me that growing in Christ must be by faith. I cannot follow Jesus in my own strength. He will help me but never forces Himself on me.

I also went through a long spell where I was more serious about other people doing the will of God than I was. This is called being a pain in the neck. It may have been during this period — which is closely related to hypocrisy — that turned off some of my family.

God is patient. He isn’t finished with me yet. I’m still learning what obedience means and still discovering more each day about my Savior. One thing I do know — He was sinless and perfect, but His family still thought He was out of His mind.

While I’m willing to accept responsibility for my failures, this tells me it is possible, even though remotely possible, that the problem is not entirely mine.