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.

²² But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”

²³ Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. ²⁴ “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. ²⁵ Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. ²⁶ And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive. ²⁷ Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.

²⁸ “I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, ²⁹ but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.” ³⁰ He told them this because they were saying, “He’s possessed by an evil spirit.”

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.”

Mark 3:21-35

Dear God, when I read this story I just see a lot of confusion and tension. I see Mary and Jesus’s family confused and scared about what Jesus is doing. I see the Pharisees confused and scared. I see the people coming to get healed getting something for themselves out of being with Jesus but not having any idea of what was really going on. And then there’s Jesus in the middle, completely aware of everything and everyone. He saw their confusion, anger, fear, selfishness, and he loved them all. He knew some of them had made him their enemy and would do anything they could to thwart him, and he love them anyway. He got angry at them, sure–even his family–but he loved them.

You are the God that is above it all. Sometimes there are tensions between people where I work. Maybe staff. Maybe with volunteers. Maybe with our clients. But I always appreciate the staff members who can rise above it all. Who can love and have mercy for everyone and every perspective. They don’t have to agree, but they can let be.

So what do I do with my own tension, anger, and fear? I talked with a friend yesterday who was very upset about how our government is handling immigration issues. Frankly, I’m lamenting it as well. So what do we do with that tension, anger, and fear? I’m bringing it to you (sometimes). I’m asking you what you would have me do. And then I’m doing it. It disappoints me that I feel so helpless in it. I feel like there’s little I can do. But there is a little I can do. I can write my congressmen. I can try to point people I know to legal aid. I can speak thoughtfully and persuasively with people who disagree with me. In fact, this reminds me of what I heard a couple of years ago, I can’t remember their name right now, about the four tools Jesus used when he was here on earth and they are the only four tools he left us: prayer, service, persuasion, and suffering.

Father, in the midst of my tension, anger, and fear, help me to attack them with prayer, service, persuasion, and suffering. Holy Spirit, teach me and show me what to do and how to do it. Show me what you’re calling me to do for the sake of your glory, the people you love, and for me.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen