From Matthew 12:46-50 / The Family of God

This short scene comes on the heels of the very sharp and difficult confrontations above. It makes me marvel.

Note how our Savior never loses His tenderness for those who seek Him, even in His most exhausted moments, and after being attacked most viciously. He is so full of grace.

It was a hard day for Moses in Ex. 20. The chapter begins with the death of Miriam, his sister. Then, there was no water, and the people began to regale Moses with complaints and accusations. God tells Moses what to do, but he is hurt, grieving, defensive and angry. Instead of speaking to the rock as instructed, he strikes. And is barred from entering the Promised Land as a result.

But not so Christ.

His disciples are attacked and accused for plucking grain on the Sabbath as they walked through a field. He heals a man with a withered hand only to have the Pharisees go out to conspire His destruction. He heals even more people and then cast the spirit out of a demonized man, only to be accused of acting by the power of Satan. He is asked to perform a sign like a trained seal to satisfy His detractors. And now, He is surrounded by a crowd, and (as Mark 3 records) His unbelieving Mother and brothers thought He had lost His mind.

And how does He respond to all this – with incredible, gracious words – “Here are my mother and my brothers.” Those who do the will of God.

Note second how the Believer’s bond to Christ is greater even than that of His natural family. When Paul had to warn Timothy (1 Tim. 1) of the danger of those inquiring into genealogies – as though there is some spiritual gain to be had by virtue of those we are related to in the flesh – Jesus here wipes that notion away for good. And yet how many today think their soul’s security rests in Godly parents or grandparents, without having any attachment to Christ personally through faith. It is a wicked and deadly myth.

Many years ago I worked for a time in a funeral home. On more than one occasion I had someone tell me their deceased relative was assured a shorter time in Purgatory if not a place in Heaven itself because of the family members they had who were priests, nuns or other high-ranking clerics. What a dreadful deception.

Note thirdly that it is those who actually do the will of the Father in Heaven who are Jesus’ kin – not mere professors. As Prov. 20:6 reads: “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?” Those who are truly faithful to the living God are those who are Jesus’ true brothers and sisters. We live in a day and age where people imagine they are whatever they pronounce themselves to be – no matter how ridiculous or detached from reality. But it is not so in the kingdom of God. Only those authentically born again of the Spirit are part of the family of God.

Note lastly and most importantly – transcendently – what it means to be Christ’s. That we, as He taught us to pray, may begin with the most highly privileged words in all the cosmos “our Father.” That in Him, we approach the throne of grace as boldly as Jesus Himself – for by faith we are truly His brothers, and true children of God.

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Hallelujah!

Hint to preachers: Men, this passage will PREACH!