Family

“And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:34–35 ESV)

They say that Jesus is doing miracle by the power of the devil and he has corrected them warning on the unforgivable sin, to suggest the work of the Holy Spirit is the work of demons. You can imagine his mood. All through Mark’s gospel Jesus is a bit more “edgy.” We have to remember however that he never sinned. I can’t pull it off. My edginess is usually motivated by sin…

So here he is and his family, his mother and his brothers came to get him. This was not a supportive family. They were more worried he had lost his mind than convinced he was the Messiah. Jesus is with the people that listen to his message, that believe in him, ‘who are my mother and brothers?’

Now this is not to be read as an encouragement to disregard our biological family, but it is significant that we have new family; a family in Christ. Those that believe in Jesus enter into not just an individualistic relationship with God but also into a familial relationship with other believers. These are the ones doing the will of God, believing in the One he has sent.

When you gather with a group of believers, look around, these are sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers. This is your family. Chances are they are not postcard perfect or the ideal family. We do have our quirks after all. But these are who the Lord has determined to be part of the family. It is for his glory that we are brothers and sisters.

Rejoice, Jesus calls you brother or sister because you believe in him. This is God’s will and he has given you a group of people to celebrate and do life with.