True Family
And His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to Him and called Him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to Him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you." and he answered them saying, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" 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 3:31-35
What would it have been like to be a brother or sister of Jesus? You grew up with Him seeing an ordinary nice guy providing for the family through carpentry and one day it all changes. Mary knew the truth but his siblings would have struggled. Jesus is now a public figure with a lot of enemies and the family is traumatised. Did Jesus prepare the brothers to take over the business? How were they coping with the neighbours comments? Were they ostracised from the local assembly?
We know that Jesus' brothers did not all believe until after the resurrection. Now Jesus makes a point of telling people that true family is those who are one at heart with Him. Did His natural family overhear? What would their reaction have been?
By becoming a Christian in some cultures you will find yourself cast out. I grew up in Australia as a Catholic and when I left the Catholic church I lost family. Imagine living in places where death is the threat you face by the choice you make. In China at present the government is pulling down church buildings in an attempt to stomp out the life, they will fail.
Jesus said He came to bring a sword and set family against one another. This seems harsh but the fact is that when we become believers in Christ we lose family. Even in so called Christian households, those who choose to follow more closely will be regarded as weird.
What would it have been like to be a brother or sister of Jesus? You grew up with Him seeing an ordinary nice guy providing for the family through carpentry and one day it all changes. Mary knew the truth but his siblings would have struggled. Jesus is now a public figure with a lot of enemies and the family is traumatised. Did Jesus prepare the brothers to take over the business? How were they coping with the neighbours comments? Were they ostracised from the local assembly?
We know that Jesus' brothers did not all believe until after the resurrection. Now Jesus makes a point of telling people that true family is those who are one at heart with Him. Did His natural family overhear? What would their reaction have been?
By becoming a Christian in some cultures you will find yourself cast out. I grew up in Australia as a Catholic and when I left the Catholic church I lost family. Imagine living in places where death is the threat you face by the choice you make. In China at present the government is pulling down church buildings in an attempt to stomp out the life, they will fail.
Jesus said He came to bring a sword and set family against one another. This seems harsh but the fact is that when we become believers in Christ we lose family. Even in so called Christian households, those who choose to follow more closely will be regarded as weird.
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