Sermon Tone Analysis

Going to family reunions… “Am I related to them, Mom?”

I was asking a blood question about people I had nothing else in common with… other than blood.

I reasoned: if we are blood related, then this is where I belong.

One of the most intriguing stories in the gospels:

Back in Capernaum — his base of operation in Galilee.

Probably the home of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law who he healed, and which may be the home that was unroofed for the lame man — both miracles happening earlier in Mark’s gospel.

family = “the ones alongside him” — included some family, some friends, some associates...

Section on Satan and divided Kingdoms.

Section on Satan and divided Kingdoms.

From Nazareth Jesus blood family comes — his mother, Mary.

We know that Jesus had at least 4 brothers (James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon) and 2 sisters.

Jesus is reconstructing the definition of family on the basis of a few key stories worth considering today:

1.

The story of Abram (Abraham’s) adoption by God

The text does not explicitly use the language of God adopting Abram, but it seems reasonable to understand the story that way.

Adopted and righteous on the basis of his faith and not his circumcision.

2. The story of Israel’s adoption by God

The text does not explicitly use the word adoption, but that is clearly what God has done with Israel.

God has adopted them, and for the way the exchanged with Pharoah has been structured, the struggle for God is between Pharaoh’s blood son and God’s adopted son, Israel.

3. The story of Jesus being adopted by Joseph

The text does not use the word adoption, but that is surely what Jospeh did: Joseph adopted Jesus.

There is no blood relation between God and Abraham, God and Israel, or Joseph and Jesus… but what they all did do was the will of God at key and important moments = they are God’s family.

So… jesus calls the 12… and they are inside, close to him.

And those in his town called him crazy, and his family comes rushing in to save him from such insults...

He puts them off and says “it is not blood that determines my family; my family is determined by those who life by faith.

As Abraham lived… as Israel lived… as my earthy father did… so I am doing...

“Tell my family, just as God has adopted a man and nation to belong… and just as Joseph adopted me and gave me a place to belong… I am now adopting thousands upon thousands of millions to belong… on the basis of their faith.”

Jesus calls us “Brothers and sisters”

And he commits to God that in the midst of HIS adopted family, Jesus will tell us of God and invite us to join him in praise to God the Father… who has begotten Jesus… and adopted us all.