Christian Art | Jesus’ Friends And Family Think Jesus Is Crazy
Mark 3: 20-21 – Week 2 Ordinary Time, Saturday (Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
There are times elsewhere in the Gospels when Jesus’ enemies accuse him of being possessed by a devil. In today’s very short Gospel reading, we listen to how Jesus’ friends are worried for him, to the point where they wish to save him from himself, thinking that he has gone out of his mind – that he is mad.
We are told that Jesus is giving himself to the multitudes to such an extent that he and his disciples cannot find a chance to eat. Jesus’ very active mission is using up all his time and must have been overwhelming. Perhaps it was this pushing of himself to the limits of his human resources which led his friends to think him beside himself.
We may also gain a further insight as we listen to these verses into just how unconventional a figure Jesus was. We know Jesus’ teaching was radical – and dangerous, deliberately so, to Jewish orthodoxy – and we hear of the fear and amazement as the crowds listened to Jesus and witnessed his healing miracles. Perhaps we learn something here of how Jesus comported himself. While we are used to depictions of Jesus’ teaching which show a man very serene and still, often positively ethereal, one leaned finger raised as he elucidates some finer point of Scriptural detail, the truth may have been different, full of power, energy, urgency, gripping his listeners, throwing his whole body – and heart and soul and mind – as he seizes on every exigency to make opportunity to drive his message home.
There is division between Jesus and his friends and family. Things are not turning out as they might have planned. It can be enjoyable to speculate as to what expectations and plans may have been formed in relation to Jesus during the hidden years. A little later (Tuesday’s reading), Jesus will rebuff his mother and others of his family as they come to find him, and when once more he is in the midst of an attentive crowd, saying: Who are my mother and my brethren? This may seem strange and harsh, however we also think of those in the crowds who might previously not have known family or community: lepers, the possessed, publicans , foreigners, the sick, mutilated persons, paraplegics. There is conflict as Jesus rebuffs a narrow, exclusive domesticity to bring love, life, hope to everyone.
Lord God,
living light of eternal love,
grant that always aglow with charity,
we may love you above all else
and our brethren for your sake,
with one and the self-same love.
Through Christ our Lord.
Audio Bible KJV | Endnotes
Jesus’ Friends Thought He Was Crazy
In Mark 3:20-21, we see a scene where Jesus’ friends and family thought Jesus was crazy. The passage reads:
‘And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.’
The phrase ‘beside himself’ in this context means ‘out of his mind’ or ‘insane.’ It is clear from this passage that Jesus’ friends and family were concerned about Jesus’ behavior.
The idea of Jesus being thought of as crazy or insane is not uni que to this passage. Throughout the Gospels, we see instances where Jesus’ actions and teachings were seen as strange or even dangerous by those around him. For example, in John 10:20, we read: ‘And many of them said, he hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?’
But why would Jesus’ friends and family think he was crazy? One possible explanation is that Jesus was doing things that were outside the norm. Jesus was healing the sick, casting out demons, and challenging the religious leaders of the day. Jesus’ teachings were also radical and went against the traditional Jewish beliefs of the time. All of this may have made those around Jesus uneasy.
Theologians and religious scholars have offered interpretations of this passage. Some have suggested that Jesus’ friends and family were simply worried about his safety and wanted to protect him from harm. Others have proposed that this passage is evidence of Jesus’ humanity and the difficulties Jesus faced in carrying out his mission.
One influential figure who commented on this passage was Saint Augustine, Christian theologian of the fourth and fifth centuries AD. Saint Augustine believed that Jesus’ friends and family were being influenced by the devil when they thought Jesus was crazy. Saint Augustine wrote:
‘The devil makes use of men’s tongues, as his instruments, to calumniate the works of Christ, and to pervert the minds of men against them; so that he that is in the highest degree of wisdom is accounted a fool, and he that hath performed the most wonderful works, is esteemed to be beside himself.’
In other words, Saint Augustine believed that the devil was trying to undermine Jesus’ mission by convincing those around him that he was crazy. Saint Augustine’s interpretation highlights the spiritual warfare that is often present in the Bible, where the forces of good and evil are constantly at odds.
In more recent times, scholars have continued to explore the meaning of this passage. Pope Benedict XVI wrote about this passage in his book Jesus Of Nazareth. Pope Benedict suggested that Jesus’ friends and family were struggling to understand his teachings, which were so different from what they had been taught. He wrote:
‘Jesus’ relatives saw him as completely mad. His words seemed like incomprehensible gibberish to them. They could no longer interpret them. What he said was so new and so different that his words simply did not fit into the preconceived notions that had hitherto structured their world.’
Pope Benedict’s interpretation highlights the radical nature of Jesus’ teachings, which were so revolutionary that they could not be understood by those who were steeped in traditional Jewish beliefs.
Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant theologian and leader of the Reformation saw Jesus’ friends and family’s reaction as evidence of the opposition that often arises when someone tries to bring about significant change. Martin Luther wrote:
‘Christ is indicating that such an opposition should not be a surprise or a cause for discouragement. Rather, it is to be expected when people try to bring about important changes in society, politics, or religion.’
Luther’s interpretation suggests that Jesus’ experience was not unique and that anyone who tries to make significant changes in society or religion is likely to face opposition. This interpretation also highlights the importance of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity.
In modern times, this Gospel passage continues to resonate with Christians. Some see it as a reminder that even when others misunderstand or criticize us, we must stay true to our convictions and trust in God’s guidance. Others see it as a call to empathy and understanding, encouraging us to try to see the world from the perspective of those around us who may be struggling to understand our actions or beliefs.
John 4:13-14 (KJV) ‘Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ Introduction to the Life of Saint Bernadette Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a humble peasant girl from Lourdes, France, lived her life of faith, humility, and divine grace. Born on January 7, 1844, in the small town of Lourdes, Bernadette was the eldest of nine children in a poor and struggling family. Her father, François Soubirous, was a miller, and her mother, Louise, a laundress. The family lived in a former prison cell known as the Cachot, a damp and cramped space, according to their dire financial situation. Despite their poverty, the Soubirous family was deeply rooted in their Christian faith, a foundation that would profoundly shape Bernadette’s life and spiritual journey. Bernadette’s early years were marked by significant health challenges. She suffered from asthma and other respiratory ailments, which often left her weak and unable to attend school regularly. This lack of formal education meant that Bernadette struggled with reading and writing, and her understanding of Christian doctrine was limited. Nevertheless, she possessed a remarkable simplicity and purity of heart, qualities that would make her an ideal recipient of divine revelations. Bernadette’s life changed irrevocably on February 11, 1858, when she experienced the first of eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the grotto of Massabielle. On that cold winter day, Bernadette, her sister Toinette, and a friend were gathering firewood near the grotto when she heard a rustling sound and saw a beautiful lady dressed in white with a blue sash, holding a rosary. The lady, who later identified herself as the Immaculate Conception, appeared to Bernadette over the course of several months, delivering messages of penance, prayer, and the need for a chapel to be built at the site. Despite initial skepticism from her family and the local authorities, Bernadette remained steadfast in her account of the apparitions, enduring intense scrutiny and even ridicule. The apparitions drew enormous attention. Soon, people from all over France and beyond began to visit Lourdes, hoping to witness a miracle. One of the most significant messages conveyed by the Virgin Mary to Bernadette was the instruction to dig in the ground near the grotto, which led to the discovery of a spring. This spring, believed to have healing properties, became the focal point of the pilgrimage to Lourdes. Many miraculous healings have been attributed to the waters of Lourdes, reinforcing the belief in Bernadette’s visions and the sanctity of the site. As the apparitions concluded, Bernadette’s life took a different turn. In 1866, she joined the Sisters of Charity in Nevers, taking the name Sister Marie-Bernard. Her time in the convent was marked by continued poor health and humility, as she carried out menial tasks and lived a life of quiet service. Despite her physical suffering, Bernadette remained devout and accepted her hardships with grace, often repeating the phrase, “I am happier here in my little corner of the convent.” Her unwavering faith and dedication to her religious duties exemplified the depth of her spiritual commitment. Bernadette Soubirous passed away on April 16, 1879, at the age of 35, after a prolonged battle with tuberculosis. Her legacy, however, endured far beyond her earthly life. In 1933, she was canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XI, recognized for her humility, faith, and the miraculous events associated with her life. Today, millions of pilgrims flock to Lourdes each year, seeking spiritual renewal and physical healing at the site of her visions. Saint Bernadette’s life continues to inspire countless individuals around the world, reminding us of the power of faith, the virtue of humility, and the enduring presence of divine grace in our lives. To Visit Lourdes Visiting Lourdes, in the picturesque foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, is an experience that transcends the physical journey, drawing pilgrims into a profound spiritual adventure. The small town, known for the Marian apparitions witnessed by Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, has become one of the world’s most revered pilgrimage sites. As we approach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the atmosphere is imbued with a palpable sense of reverence and anticipation. The grand basilicas, the tranquil Grotto of Massabielle and the gently flowing waters of the miraculous spring together create a sacred environment that invites reflection, prayer, and a deep connection with the divine. The focal point of any visit to Lourdes is the Grotto, where Bernadette experienced the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here, pilgrims can touch the rock face, light candles, and drink or bathe in the spring’s water, believed to possess healing properties. The profound silence and sense of sacredness at the Grotto allow visitors to contemplate their faith, seek solace and find spiritual renewal. The Rosary Basilica, with its mosaics, and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, perched above the Grotto, offer spaces for communal worship and personal meditation. The nightly candlelight processions, where pilgrims from around the globe unite in prayer and song, highlight the universal bond of faith and hope that Lourdes represents. Beyond its physical beauty and historical significance, visiting Lourdes offers a deeply personal and transformative experience. Pilgrims often arrive burdened with ailments, grief, or spiritual crises, seeking comfort and miracles. The stories of healing and faith that emerge from Lourdes are testimonies to the enduring power of belief and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The communal aspect of the pilgrimage—sharing meals, prayers, and stories with fellow believers—fosters a sense of solidarity and mutual support. For many, the visit to Lourdes is a journey of healing, not only of the body but also of the soul, providing a renewed sense of purpose, peace, and spiritual clarity that lingers long after returning home. Prayer With Saint Bernadette Prayer for Intercession Dear […]
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