Why Jesus’ Brothers Said That He Was Out of His Mind

Then he [Jesus] went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”Mark 3:20-21Some Christians seem to have the idea that Jesus lived a balanced life. But the demands on Jesus were so great that He did not even have time to eat. Missing meals and losing sleep were commonplace for Jesus and His disciples. If you’re surrounded by great ministry opportunities, don’t complain, be thankful. That’s what the Master did, and He didn’t listen to those who tried to slow Him down. When Mary saw her son missing meals and losing sleep, she became anxious for His health. The brothers took a harsher view: “He is out of His mind.” Brothers say that kind of thing, don’t they? They wanted to restrain Jesus and bring Him home. The family is connected to Jesus, and they want Him to obey them! They want to bring Him under their control. Picture Jesus’ family arriving outside: “A crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, ‘Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you’” (3:32). Jesus asked, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” (3:33). Then Jesus said to the folks who were listening to His teaching, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (3:35). These words must have gone straight through Mary’s heart. Even His mother must submit herself to His will and bow before Him as her Saviour and Lord.If Jesus’ own mother could not bring Him under her control, why would you think you can?