Lectionary for Easter 10 B

Lectionary for Easter 10 B

Opening sentence. Looking around, Jesus said: ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’ Mark 3:34-35

Collect. O God, from whom all good proceeds: grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading. 2 Corinthians 4:13 to 5:1. The congregation at Corinth was very gifted and as such attracted many false teachers who caused Paul much concern. Both of his letters to the Corinthians seek to keep the believers at Corinth firm in the true faith in Jesus Christ. Paul has been reminding his readers that they have the treasure of the gospel in them; in clay jars was his phrase. Here in this section of his letter he is reminding them that it is the same Spirit which is in every believer. Having the Spirit does not solve every problem but the Spirit’s presence does bring positive action. Paul uses an extract from psalm 116 verse !0. In that psalm the psalmist has been rescued by God and brought back from the point of death. This rescue refreshes his faith and the presence of God has become so real to him that he now speaks out about the power and goodness of the Lord God. The psalmist had trusted in God and God had delivered him. The psalmist witnesses to that deliverance by speaking about it. Not only will the psalmist speak about the deliverance but will also worship God with great joy.

The believers in Corinth have been rescued from death by the Lord Jesus and so they now live trusting in him to lead them on. They also live in the hope that just as God raised Jesus, in the same way God will raise each believer. Those who have been rescued from death witness to that by living a life which honours God in every way. At every opportunity they will tell others about this wonderful deliverance. As they believe so will they speak just as the psalmist had done.

Each believer lives through the joys as well as the painful sufferings of this earthly life because of the hope that is in them. They do not lose heart but are filled with expectation even though their bodies are getting older and perhaps their joints are not as flexible as once they were. Nevertheless they live in the expectation that through death Jesus will leaded them into the very presence of God and into a glorious new life.

Paul reminds them that God has done all that needed to be done for their sakes and as they live and witness to what God has done others will see, hear and believe. With more and more believers accepting the grace of God’s redemption so more and more praise will ring out, giving glory to God. With courage they fix their minds on the actions of God through Jesus Christ. Despite all the physical evidence to the contrary their hope is placed in the unseen eternity which is yet to be, because of what God has done by resurrecting Jesus Christ who now lives and reigns eternally.

Prayer. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are the great Creator and by your power all things are created. In your great mercy you sustain life, renewing your love for all each day. How great is your faithfulness, what joy is ours who know you through the sacrifice of your son Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus Christ, from you alone comes the vision that gives us hope in the future and so Lord it is only natural that we should turn to you for help and strength. May our path be selected by you today as we journey along. May our life be an active demonstration of our trust in you. By the power of the Holy Spirit help us to stay close to you, listen to your voice and walk in obedience to you. We ask this for our own health and comfort and for love of you. Amen.

Reading. Mark 3:20-35. We begin reading from Mark’s Gospel just after Jesus has drawn to himself the twelve apostles, men who would form the core of his band of followers. Jesus chose the ones who would be most closely involved in his teaching which was a departure from tradition. Followers learned from the rabbi of their choice not the other way round. This was a critical point in Jesus’ earthly ministry and as Mark describes the situation we can see that Jesus is at the height of his popularity. The crowds are so large that even their meal times were being affected. Jesus usually lived and taught at Capernaum but the intensity of this activity was so unusual that even his family who live in a different village hear about these gatherings.

Mark also remarks that some of the religious officials had come from Jerusalem to see and hear what Jesus was doing. By suggesting that Jesus is using the power of the Devil shows the concern the religious authorities had. His ministry was threatening their position of religious power. All through Mark’s gospel when Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God and heals, God’s kingdom is revealed and the evil spirits are expelled. In his parable Jesus exposes the futility of their accusations. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Jesus also reveals in his parable that he has the power to nullify the power of evil and overcome it. Jesus also gives a warning to those who would stand against him by reminding them that there is an unforgiveable sin and that is to speak against the good that God is doing. To commit an unforgivable sin comes not from a once only act but from habitually working against what God, through the power of the Holy Spirit is doing. The scribes and religious leaders deliberately refused to see that God was at work through the ministry of Jesus.

When Jesus’ mother and siblings come to take him home, it is out of concern for his welfare and we might think his response is rather abrupt but from Mark’s perspective the response would have been correct for what the incident teaches is that those who obey God belong to Jesus and he to them. From the gospel’s perspective we see that at this stage in his ministry even his family did not fully understand who Jesus was and what he had come to do in God’s name. What we do know is that by the end of his ministry Jesus’ mother was a witness to his crucifixion and after his death James named as Jesus brother was a leader of the Christian group in Jerusalem. This James was one of the early martyrs of the faith. Therefore we know that Jesus did maintain a close connection to his earthly family. At the same time each of the gospels records the incident that we read today and so the main point that Mark here is making is that all those who follow and obey Jesus are truly members of his family. 

Prayer. Almighty God, through Jesus you have called us into your family and given us the privilege of being part of those who together can praise your name. How great is your power for nothing can stand against you and yet you chose a humble path for your Servant Jesus, who relied on your wisdom and power alone. Help us to understand this message more clearly each day and so be more gentle and caring with others as we desire to share your love and offer a witness to your goodness and grace. Empower us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit we need in order to accomplish what is your desire for us. Grant that we may be faithful in our work and fruitful in our harvest as your servants. This we pray through the merits and mercies of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen

Collect. Jesus, you were misunderstood and slandered by others; save us from calling evil what is good, and help us to do the will of God, that we may be found among your family, now and for ever. Amen.