THE GOSPEL OF MARK: MARK 3

Message by Sarah Brnjas - Jan 18, 2026

Mark 3 NIV - "Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”...

Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. Mark 3:6 NIV

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Mark 3:7-8 NIV

 They were desperate for Jesus.

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preachand to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:13-15 NIV

 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Mark 3:20-21 NIV

 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” Mark 3:22 NIV

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” Mark 3:30-31 NIV

 Why Questions Matter

• Create hospitality and belonging
• Humanize and value others
• Deepen understanding
• Open space for hope

 Curiosity is a relationship invitation.

 There are no stupid questions, only harmful ones.

• To shame: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mark 2:16)

• To condemn: “Why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” (Mark 2:24)

 Jesus responds to every question asked.

How Jesus Responds to Questions (so far)

• He gives a thoughtful, semi-direct response (Mark 2:16-17)

• He answers with action and healing (Mark 1:24-25)

• He answers a question with a question (Mark 2:9, 2:18, 2:24: 3:23-25)

So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” Mark 3:23:30

 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. Mark 3:4

 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts… Mark 3:5

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:33-35

In Jesus’s circle, we as we continue to .

Questions to Linger

1. What Crowd Are You In?

2. What Questions Are You Asking?

 Sarah joined our staff team in June 2021, focusing on all things systems, communication and people related. She is passionate around community connection, spiritual growth, and living a Jesus-Centred life shamelessly. Sarah’s family life includes her 7 siblings, 4 sib-in-laws, and 10 niblings (nieces and nephews) and a husband, Sushil. Her pastimes include: stories, learning Tamil, and monologuing.