Every single one of us is on a unique journey on earth.  In challenging times along with life and death moments, we learn very quickly who will stay by us through thick and thin.  These people literally run to us and not away from us.  They listen first, then act or just listen.  They love without condition.  They know us so they know instinctively what to do for us.  And we call them family.  Real family.  They may or may not be “blood kin” but they are those who love, respect and care about what we are thinking and how we are doing with life stuff.  They will come alongside you to cry or laugh with you.  We love, cherish and appreciate them as real family.

Jesus’ mom and brothers are checking up on him.  As any loving, Jewish mom might do, Mary worries if He is eating and getting enough rest.  His brothers, some of whom, have not quite believed Jesus to be the Messiah, have questions.  They want to see him, speak to him, away from the crowd.  I don’t think Jesus is admonishing his mother and brothers as much as He uses this opportunity as yet another teachable moment.  He extended “family” to be anyone who does the will my Father in heaven as brothers, sisters and mother!  “Anyone” means us!  We are brothers and sisters with Christ when we believe in Him, follow in His ways, abandon ourselves to God and listen to what He wants to do in and through us.  This is such amazing news for all of us! 

Paul picks up on this family relationship and explains…

“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”  Romans 8:17 NLT

Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase expands the family idea…

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!”  Romans 8:17, The Message 

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 12:46-50, NLT

The True Family of Jesus

⁴⁶ As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. ⁴⁷ Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.”

⁴⁸ Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. ⁵⁰ Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”

This is who we are in Christ!  Believe and be saved.  Believe in Jesus and become children of God.  Believe and follow the will of our Father and we become brothers and sisters with Christ.  We are real family–forever!  This is amazing love, mercy and grace. 

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Thank you for allowing me to be your child for no reason other than by your grace and mercy given freely by what Jesus did for me and for our brothers and sisters who believe.  Thank you for continuing to help us grow in our relationship with you and each other in Your family.

In Jesus Name, Amen