Lenten Reader | Day 7

February 25th, 2026

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Mark 3:20-35

Mother & Brothers

Today’s passage tells us of a time when crowds were surrounding Jesus. He is misunderstood by His family, opposed by religious leaders, yet he was unwavering in His mission.

Jesus is so busy ministering that He and His disciples can’t even eat. His family hears about it and thinks that He is “out of His mind.” The religious leaders go even further, accusing Him of being influenced by evil. In the middle of all this noise, Jesus stands firm, teaching with clarity and compassion.

It blows my mind that anyone would have the audacity to make either of these statements about Jesus! When His family arrives, calling for Him, Jesus looks at the crowd seated around Him and says, “Here are my mother and my brothers.” Family is not defined by blood, but by obedience to God’s will. The kingdom of God is not built on wealth, status, or proximity, but on surrender. Obedience. A heart that says yes to God.

In what ways are you saying yes to God?

This passage invites you to consider: What defines your closeness to Jesus? Not your past. Not your achievements. Not your spiritual résumé. Closeness to Jesus comes from a willing heart—one that listens, trusts, and follows.

Are you giving God the glory when doing a work for him? Our strength comes from the Holy Spirit, and we are called to Glorify Him. In a world full of noise, expectations, and misunderstandings, Jesus calls you into a deeper identity: family. You are not on the outside looking in. You are not forgotten. When you align your life with God’s will, Jesus looks at you and says, “You belong with Me.”

We are family through Christ. Christ calls us to show unity in our shared vision. The church should focus on the mission of healing and hope. The church should be a place where our community can find unity and peace, finding a place to be part of the family.

Traci Click