Mark 3:20-21 New Living Translation
20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.
Mark 3:24-25 New Living Translation
24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.
Mark 3:31-35 New Living Translation
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.”
33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
WHO IS JESUS’ FAMILY?
Those who FOLLOW Jesus vs those who are FAMILIAR with Him
Mark 1:24-25 New Living Translation
24 “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
25 But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered.
Mark 3:12 New Living Translation
12 But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was.
Mark 3:13-15 New Living Translation
13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. 14 Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, 15 giving them authority to cast out demons.
Matthew 7:21 New Living Translation
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
Mark 8:34 New Living Translation
34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
Those who SHINE vs those HIDE
Mark 4:21-25 New Living Translation
21 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. 23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given — and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
Matthew 5:13-14 New Living Translation
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
Those who HEAR vs those who HARVEST
Scattering seed:
The kingdom is like a farmer that scatters seed:
- Seed that fell on the path — Birds ate it
- Seed that fell on shallow soil — sprouted quickly but died without roots
- Seed that fell among weeds — choked out
- Fell on fertile soil — produced a crop 30, 60, 90 fold. (Outrageous numbers 7.5)
The other two stories are in:
- Mark 4:26-29: Growing Seed — a farmer plants seed and before he realizes it there is a harvest
- Mark 4:30-32: Mustard Seed — it’s the smallest seed but rapidly grows into the largest of all garden plants
James 2:18-20 New Living Translation
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?