November 5 Christ’s Family

Luke 8:19-21 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 is one of three occasions the gospels record Jesus overriding Mary’s motherly concerns for him and his work. First, Mary frantically seeks the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple. His response is recorded in Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?”  Second, we see Jesus react to Mary’s directive at the wedding in Cana in John 2:3 When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”  And third, is this interaction between Jesus and Mary, which is also reported in Mark. Is Jesus disrespectful, even unloving toward Mary and then his siblings?
   We can understand Jesus’ three responses to Mary’s motherly concerns when we remember who he is. Fully man, Jesus is also fully God. In each of the three conversations noted, we have the evidence of Jesus’ two natures. As a man, his mother Mary sees him as her son in need of motherly directives at times. She speaks to him in her earthly authority and love.
   And then we know Jesus is the Son of God. He needs no instruction about his ministry. In each occasion mentioned, Jesus lifts up his relationship with his Father in Heaven. This is the relationship that directs his conversation in the temple, the miracles and his preaching. 
   In this work, Jesus is intent beyond his earthly family to point the world to become part of God’s eternal family. As the Holy Spirit quickens our faith in the risen Christ, we become one with God, under one Lord, one Father, one Spirit and one body. (See Ephesians 4:4-6). We are baptized in the Spirit’s power into the family of God. As we confess our sins and confess Jesus as Lord, the risen Savior becomes our brother.
   Jesus loved his mother very much. Some of his last words from the cross expressed his commission to his disciple John to care for Mary. Then we must remember that Mary needed to be saved as we all do. The Spirit moved her from her temporary purpose as Jesus’ mother to her eternal purpose as Jesus’ disciple (Acts 1:14). Today, Mary is Christ’s sister in his eternal family.
   Jesus knew when he had to care for earthly matters. He knew when he had to focus on eternal matters. He is our example to know the eternal must appropriately be above the earthly.
 
Prayer: I praise you, Jesus, for your great love for all mankind. Thank you for drawing your own into your eternal family. Amen.