Mark 3. We continue our journey through Mark today while asking the question, “How does Jesus interact with people?”

Chapter three opens with another story of an individual who has a life-altering physical deformity, the man with the withered hand (3:1-6). Jesus heals the man, although it is the sabbath and no “work” is allowed. In doing so Jesus makes the point that caring for other people is obedience to the greater laws of God. We again see his compassion and empathy for those facing challenges.

The fact that healing someone on the sabbath day really irritated the religious leaders leads me to ask many questions. How in the world could they object to someone being healed? And it’s not like healing was happening all the time, wouldn’t they have thought this was a joyous occasion?! How does Jesus interact with these particular people? He is angry and grieved at their hardness of heart. We begin to see two different groups of people around Jesus, those who are amazed and excited by all he is doing, and those who are angry about it. This theme will continue to be developed as we read Mark.

The third group of people around Jesus is those whom he has called, his disciples, some of whom were named in chapter one. Now we see Jesus going up on the mountain and calling to himself those whom he desired, and they came to him. He appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons…(3:13-15). Not only is Jesus calling to this group of people, but he has invited them in to know him at a deeper level, to learn, and to be appointed and given authority to carry out the same works Jesus himself had been doing. Jesus is investing in these people, and delegating authority to them.

There’s one more interesting interaction between Jesus and people in chapter three. His mother and brothers are looking for him in a crowded setting (3:31-35). Jesus responds, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” For those who follow Christ, the nature of that relationship is like a family. Jesus has redefined relationships and priorities, and he considers those who follow him to be part of his family.

Which of these stories captures your interest? Are you in need of Jesus’ compassion and healing? Is Jesus calling to you, asking you to follow him? Or asking you to go deeper with him and become a disciple or a disciple-maker? Do you need to hear that you have a new family in Jesus and the church? Or is your heart hardened to the works of God, lacking in joy, and unable to see what God might be doing in your midst?