Expanded Family

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31-34

Routinely you hear people prioritize this topic. Tensions rise and fall when these relationships are discussed. How this one bond is handled can dramatically affect the trajectory of a man’s life. I’m talking about family. If there is a topic outside of money or work that prompts an extreme male response, it’s family. And Jesus seems to add fuel to the fire.

We know Jesus had a biological family. He had siblings and was part of a family system that reflected His day and time. How Jesus interacted with them is very enlightening and somewhat surprising. As a boy, He was submissive. As a son, He took care of His mother by making sure John cared for her. Jesus didn’t reduce the family; He expanded it!

In this one passage, we are encouraged to think about those who do the will of God as our family. Jesus demonstrated this. Notice that Jesus did not nuance out the way this works in day to day living; He merely reveals a challenging truth. As you look around at those doing God’s will, remind yourself of Jesus’ Word. Your family just got bigger.

DO THIS TODAY: Start thinking of people who do God’s will as family.