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Jesus, Example of Patience (3/5)

"Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, 'He is out of His mind.' And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, 'He has Beelzebub,' and, 'By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.'" (Mark 3.20-22).

The accusation by the scribes from Jerusalem – He has Beelzebub - was to be expected! After all, they seemed to hound Him during virtually all His ministry. However, note who the other detractors were in the verses quoted; they were "…His own people." The expression, "…His own people," ought to ring in our ears and make a deep and lasting impression on our souls! Although this phrase could simply mean His countrymen, it probably has reference to His kinsmen, His own family. We know that all of them did not believe as evidenced by John's comments at John 7.5 – "For even His brothers did not believe in Him."

Patience with one's enemies is one thing but patience with one's own family – now that is a horse of an entirely different color! One can excuse enemies by looking to the circumstances like upbringing, family structure, education, cultural biases, etc. But kinsmen, you know that they basically had the same or very nearly the same opportunities as you had. You know that they are usually well aware of the circumstances surrounding a controversy. You know that your own kin profess to love you even when their actions seem to indicate the opposite. Such was it also with Jesus and His relatives. They knew, or easily could have known, all about Jesus' life; they knew Mary's claims as to His conception and birth.

And now of all people, His own family lifted their hands against Him. They sought to "lay hold of Him" perhaps in the same way that Herod laid hold of John (Mark 6.16). They even said, "He is out of His mind." No one can hurt you like someone who is near and dear to you – and so it was with Jesus. His very own flesh and blood refused to believe and then turned their negative energies toward Him. When we think of our Savior, we need to think of events like this and the patience that He displayed on the way to the cross. There may have been low days in the ministry of Jesus, but one can hardly believe but that this day, the day when His own family turned against Him, was a wearisome day in the life of Jesus.

The Hebrews writer in speaking of Jesus called Him "…the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12.2). He is the Captain of our faith and the Perfecter of our faith! He did not quit when the going got tough; He persevered in the face of all adversity and did not so much as waver as He executed the Divine mission here upon the earth. His desire was to do the will of the Father and it was that will which led Him to a tree on Calvary. That living example of Jesus is the example that the Hebrews writer invoked as he encouraged His fellow-Christians to "…run with patience the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12.1).

Has someone accused you of being crazy because you stick to your guns in your Christian walk? Have some even thought of physically restraining you because of your avid devotion to the faith? If so, you are in good company! Jesus knew and knows the pain of such opposition!

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

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