A NEW FAMILY

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Mark 7:20, 21

Jesus was always surrounded by crowds. The people came to him for a number of reasons. Some came just to see if he would do some miracle. Others came to hear his teaching because he taught with the kind of power they were not used to hearing. Still others came because they were starving to hear the truth. Many came to be healed of some malady and many brought their loved ones to be healed. There were always crowds who needed Jesus’ ministry.
Jesus set aside his personal needs and comforts in order to do the work of the kingdom. He may have been physically exhausted but when there were people needing him he was available. He may have felt the need for time away with his Father but he stayed and ministered to the hurting. He may have been hungry but physical hunger could not keep him from serving those he came to save.

There doesn’t seem to be much of this mindset among Christians today. There is great emphasis placed on taking care of one’s own needs first so that ministry can be done. Ministers who pour themselves out without reservation are warned that they are going to burn out and become useless for Kingdom work. Ministers are not exempt from the “me first” attitude that is so prevalent.

Jesus’ family was concerned about him. They had obviously been receiving information about Jesus and his ministry. They were worried that he wasn’t taking good care of himself. So when they heard that he was being so crowded by the people that he couldn’t even sit down to a decent meal they decided that he must be out of his mind and went to take him into protective custody. He was acting like a fanatic and he would bring the family name to disgrace or bring the wrath of the religio-mafia down on the family.

When they arrived to take charge of Jesus, someone went into the house and told Jesus his mother and brothers had come and were waiting for him outside. 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 3:33-35

We’re familiar with the old saying, “Blood is thicker than water.” This passage shows us another truth, “Spiritual union is thicker than blood.” Can we look at what Jesus said once again? “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Did you hear that? If you concern yourself with doing the will of God rather than concerning yourself with the things of this world then you are Jesus’ brother or sister! He claims you as his sibling! He takes you as his family! This is one of the most amazing statements in the whole Bible. If we commit ourselves to doing God’s will then Jesus commits himself to being our brother. What could be better than that?