Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd
gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his
relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said,
“He is out of his mind.” Mark 3:20–21
When you consider the sufferings of Jesus, most likely your
thoughts first turn to the crucifixion. From there, you may think
about His scourging at the pillar, the carrying of the Cross and
the other events that took place from the time of His arrest until
His death. However, there were many other human sufferings that our
Lord endured for our good and the good of all. The Gospel passage
above presents us with one such experience.
Though physical pain is quite undesirable, there are other
sufferings that can be just as difficult to endure, if not more
difficult. One such suffering is being misunderstood and treated by
your own family as if you were out of your mind. In Jesus’ case, it
appears as if many of His extended family, not including His own
mother of course, were quite vocally critical of Jesus. Perhaps
they were jealous of Him and had some form of envy, or perhaps they
were embarrassed by all the attention He was getting. Whatever the
case may be, it’s clear that Jesus’ own relatives tried to prevent
Him from ministering to the people who deeply longed to be with
Him. Some of His extended family members made up the story that
Jesus was “out of his mind” and sought to put an end to His
popularity.
Family life should be a community of love, but for some it becomes
a source of sorrow and hurt. Why did Jesus allow Himself to endure
this form of suffering? In part, to be able to relate with any and
every suffering you endure as a result of your own family.
Additionally, His endurance of it also redeemed this form of
suffering, making it possible for your family hurt to share in that
redemption and grace. Thus, when you turn to God in prayer with
your family struggles, you will be consoled to know that the Second
Person of the Most Holy Trinity, Jesus, the Eternal Son of God,
understands your suffering from His own human experience. He knows
the pain so many family members feel from first-hand experience.
And He is able to look at every family suffering with the utmost
compassion so as to give each person who asks the grace they need
to not only endure that suffering but also to use it for good and
for God’s glory.
Reflect, today, upon any way that you need to surrender some hurt
within your own family over to God. Turn to our Lord Who fully
understands your struggles and invite His powerful and
compassionate presence into your life so that He can transform all
that you endure into His grace and mercy.
My compassionate Lord, You endured much in this world, including
the rejection and ridicule of those in Your own family. I offer to
You my own family and especially the hurt that has been present.
Please come and redeem all family struggles and bring healing and
hope to me and to all those who need it the most. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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