I hope you all are getting really comfortable with your daily reading. One chapter in Mark can cover a lot of ground.
Many (most? all?) of you are likely aware of one of Mark’s literary techniques — often known as a Mark sandwich. The technique has a beginning (A) of a story, an interruption of the story (B), and then a conclusion or ending comment to the first story (A’). The sandwich in chapter 3 is contained in verses 20 to 35.
When Mark uses this technique, it’s helpful to look at the “meat” of the sandwich, the interruption (B part) to more fully understand the first story (parts A and A ‘). The bread of the sandwich in this case is in verse 21,
21 When his family heard this they went out to restrain him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”,
and in verses 31 – 35. which begin with,
31 Then Jesus’ mother and his brothers came. Standing outside, they sent word to him, to summon him.
In the middle is Jesus’ confrontation with the experts in the law, over how Jesus is able to cast out demons. Jesus demonstrates how the accusation of the experts, that Jesus himself is demon-possessed cannot possibly true, and then lets them and the crowd know that blaspheming against the holy spirit is unforgiveable.
So, what does this middle part tell us about the actions of Jesus’ family? I think the main point is that no matter who it is, or how intimate a relationship one has with Jesus, to restrain his message or to redirect his mission, is as blasphemous as confusing Jesus with Satan. Yikes!
As always, use the comments to say what you’d like to say about Mark 3.
I don’t have much to say about this. But for the sake of accountability, I read it and thought about it today. I like how countercultural Jesus is.
I am aware of the “sandwich” structure, but I did not see it in this passage until Jim pointed it out. Thank you, Jim! Mark 3:31-35 when Jesus’ family attempts (with kind motives) to redirect his current mission reminds me of Matthew 16:23, when Jesus rebukes Peter, “You do not have in mind the things of God…. but the things of man.” I also reflected on our recent Xmas holiday and how prevalent it is to take the focus off of Jesus Christ and place the focus on family, food, gifts, etc. For example, Heaven forbid if we should attend church on Christmas day, which fell on a Sunday, and disrupt our family traditions.
In Mark 3, it seems like the demons had a clearer idea of who Jesus is than the experts did.
The demons did indeed, so Jesus had to keep hushing them.