Friday 18 October, 2019

19 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

This passage comes at a time when Jesus is very popular. He is constantly surrounded by lots of people, wanting to hear more of Jesus teaching and see him do miracles. During his three years of ministry, I can’t recall many times where he went home to be with his family. So, instead here we have his family coming to see Jesus, and someone says, “hey Jesus, your mum and brothers are here to see you”.

Jesus responds by saying “My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it”. When I first read this, it sounds a bit like Jesus brushing them away. On another occasion, Jesus family were critical of him, wanting to take him home, away from the crowds. Maybe the pharisees where saying things to Jesus family since Jesus was causing them some problems.

But as I reflect on this passage, I read it this time, that Jesus is not brushing off his family, but he is actually elevating everyone who hears God’s word and obeys it into his family. And he is not just speaking to the crowd around him, he is declaring to everyone throughout history, “if you obey God’s Word, you are a part of my family”.

It encourages me, that obeying God doesn’t make me his servant, Jesus calls me his brother.

Jesus, I thank you, for loving us, and giving us your Word. Thank you that you don’t just call us servants, but you call us your family.

Written by Andrew Martin