Jesus' popularity grew. Jesus was very busy serving the crowd day and night. In this passage, we see two groups of people with different intentions, but both groups misunderstand Jesus' ministry.

There were the teachers of the law. They intended to discredit Jesus' ministry, claiming Jesus was driving out demons by the power of the prince of demons. Jesus usually avoided arguments about his identity. People came to know him through the evidence shown to them. However, he pointed to their blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus was saving people by bringing God's forgiveness to sinners (28). Speaking against the Holy Spirit was an offense against God (29).

On the other hand, Jesus' mother and brothers were concerned about Jesus since the crowd made him too busy to even eat. Instead of supporting his ministry, they wondered if he lost his mind. They came to take him home so he would eat and rest. It is hard to deal with misunderstandings from loved ones. Jesus says those who do God's will are his mother and brothers (35). We come to understand Jesus' heart as we try to live according to God's will.


Application: Father, help me to know your heart and work to do your will.
One Word: Know God's will and live by it