Who is in the Family?

Mark 3:20-21 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for the authorities were saying, “He is out of his mind.” 
 
Mark 3:32-35  A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whover does God’s work is my brother and sister and mother.”
 
YOU likely put a high priority on family life. You desire to nurture and care for those in your home and those closely related to you. God wants you to do so.
   Jesus’ family may have traveled from Nazareth to Capernaum to get him. Or perhaps they were following his ministry. They saw and heard that Jesus was in trouble. We’ll see in the next verses that people accused him of being of the devil and being out of his mind. In addition, Jesus and the disciples hadn’t eaten. Jesus’ family wanted to take him home.
   That was good of them from a human point of view. But Jesus was on a mission. He was not concerned for his safety or his hunger. After all, he had confronted his worst enemy, the devil, for 40 days in the Jordan wilderness. He is God’s Son and human limitations will not stop him from doing God’s will.
   Jesus then turned his family’s desire to help him into an opportunity to define and exalt himself. With the question, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he focused on his work to save the lost. Jesus confirms the Son of Man’s authority to draw all people unto himself. “Whover does God’s work is my brother and sister and mother.”
   This is a very radical teaching to the crowd! Imagine the people knew only oppressive rule from the Romans and restrictive rule of the Pharisees. They knew those rulers looked down on them and wanted no association with them. They ruled with threats and bitterness. Their commands were to exalt and prosper themselves.
   But Jesus of Nazareth, could heal. He could stir hearts with the truth. The crowds came because they had heard of his compassion. This remarkable man had now said that he was one of the family!
   Jesus’ words were his reality. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
    Do you know Jesus as your brother? Do you allow him to serve you with his restoring, renewing gospel? Are you willing to join with him into an active, loving relationship to serve others in his name? How affirming and good it is to know the Lord of Life is your Brother in heaven, leading you into his love.