Presumptuous

Then Jesus went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. ²¹ And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

²² And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” ²³ And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? ²⁴ If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵ And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. ²⁶ And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. ²⁷ But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.

²⁸ “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, ²⁹ but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— ³⁰ for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

³¹ And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. ³² And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” ³³ And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” ³⁴ And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵ For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” – Mark 3:20-35

Presumptuous. Do you know anyone whose picture belongs next to that word in the dictionary? They presume upon your kindness. They presume upon their tenure. They presume upon others’ willingness to give way in traffic or in line. They presume upon their long-standing heritage. They presume upon their name, title, or history. Ugh. Those are definitely EGR’s (Extra Grace Required). 

Sometimes such people are obvious and easily hated. Other times, their presumption is so imposing we dare not even say a word in challenge to their claim. It might be a long-time church member, a higher-up in the company, a self-appointed neighborhood block captain, or a self-acclaimed religious leader. 

Or it may be someone everyone assumes to be authoritative and legitimately deferred to. Some people, we think, deserve preferential treatment. Some people claim it for themselves, but there are those who deserve the honor of obedience and deference. 

Is it difficult to imagine your own family taking a dim view of you? Your future father-in-law, maybe. Your younger brother, possibly. Your older sister, to be sure. But your mother? Your family?!? 

Jesus mother, brothers and sisters came to get Jesus. Mark even tells us that they thought Jesus was out of his mind. He needed to be grounded, calmed, brought back to earth and to his senses. So they thought. So they presumed. 

Jesus was decidedly not out of his mind. He was clearly doing what he came to do. He was committed to his mission. He was above reproach or doubt. 

May we never presume to tell Jesus what to do (it is a real danger in spite of ourselves). Rather, as believers, we must do the will of God. This shows us truly to be children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ.