"Jesus is Beside Himself."

Mark 3:21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

He is beside himself???

Jesus' own friends were so concerned about the abuse of their Master, pressed into service, restless days and sleepless nights, lack of sustenance, disease all about, that they talked one another into the belief that He didn't realize what He was doing.

Who were these friends? Well, there were his new friends, the disciples. Then there were his neighbors - because he lived in Capernaum now. And possibly even some of his family.

Contrast the concern of these well-meaning friends with the spite of the enemies who accused Him of being demonized.

But His reasoning in 23-29 proved all of them misguided.

23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. 28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Truth is, it is Satan who is beside himself, and, to be honest, it is often we who are beside ourselves. He knows exactly what He is doing at all times. Best to take our hands off the wheel and cede the controls to Him. 

Jesus in the House

Mark 2:1-13
When Jesus is in the house:
1. The house is filled. In this case, it was filled with people, but in any case, if He is present, the house is filled with all that He is. Vss 1-2
2. There is faith in the house. Took some work, but faith made it happen. Vss 3-4
3. There is forgiveness in the house. Vs 5
4. There may be fury present. Vss 6-7. Any work of God will be met with the enemy's wrath.
5. There is a certain amount of fashion! Vs 12, "We never saw it on this fashion." The  "fashionable" church goer isn't concerned about a change of clothes, but a change of life.

It would do us well to bathe every get together with prayer, pleading for Him to be present in the house.