Anchor My Faith

Introduction of a New Family

Scripture: Matthew 12:46, 48, 50; Mark 3:20-21, 31, 34; Luke 8:19-20

In our previous lesson, we looked at some women and their role in the ministry of Jesus. In this lesson we will learn about a new family that Jesus is bringing into existence. But, before we can consider this new family, we must look at family problem Jesus had to deal with. ^{Mk 3:20} “Then [Jesus] went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. ²¹ And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”’

When Jesus goes home, he is going to Capernaum, which is located 20 miles northeast of Nazareth. This location served as the base for his Galilean ministry. Here at the house where he lived, the crowds gathered and even came inside, making it impossible to eat. When his earthly family learned about the crowds and how they were disrupting his life, they thought he was out of him mind allowing that to happen and decided to go and rescue him from those crowding about him.

^{Mt 12:46} “While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers’ ^{Lk 8:19} came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd, ^{Mk 3:31} and standing outside they sent to him and called him. During one of these teaching times at his home, his mother and his brothers came to him to get him, but because of the crowd they could not get to him.”

As Jesus taught and performed miracles, crowds gathered, but his opponents also increased in number. At this point, Jesus must contend with opposition from an unbelieving family. Jesus will not forsake his relationship with his physical family, yet he will always pursue the call of God above all opposition.

His family sent a message through the crowd to Jesus, ^{Lk 8:20} “And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.”’ The message sent to Jesus interrupted his teaching and causes him to respond to the man who gave him the request from his family.

^{Mt 12:48} “But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” ^{Mk 3:34} And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ^{Mt 12:50} For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”’

To the man who communicated the message from his family, Jesus asks him a question: “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” A question like this was intended to provide an opportunity to introduce a new idea. That new idea comes from what he said after looking about those who sat around him. Jesus declared them to be his mother and brothers, and then he defines clearly who fit that category. Those who do the will of his Father; those who believe and obey his teachings are part of a spiritual family. They are children of God and members of the kingdom of God.

Prayer

The concept presented in this lesson that we who are born spiritually are part of another family, will become clearer as we follow along with Jesus. This concept seems to be more important and relevant to those living under persecution where members of faith are rejected as physical family members. For them, this family, Jesus is referencing, is very real and important in their lives.