The Family of God

This is found as well in the gospel accounts of Matthew and Mark. Luke has a little bit different look at it though. Luke’s account of Jesus’ mother and brothers is after the parable of the sower while in the other gospel accounts it is before. I think that Luke is doing this to tie in the parable of the sower specifically the good soil the family of God.

Jesus’ Family

Some believe that Mary maintained her virginity after the birth of Jesus and that these are merely the cousin’s of Jesus.

I don’t see any reason for one to believe that or any backing in the text.

This text leaves no reason to believe that the one’s being spoken of are anything but the half brothers of Jesus.

Mark 6:3 ESV

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Mark names 4 brothers and even sisters.

Jesus’ Brothers

Why were they there?

Entering into speculation now.

John 7:3–5 ESV

3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him.

His brothers His kin didn’t believe in Him.

I’m not sure why they were their but I could suspect that it was due to their unbelief. They are ready to bring Jesus back home not understanding what He was doing.

To us:

People will not understand your faith

1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

People do not understand why we believe in Jesus.

They say that Christianity is a crutch, a thing that weak people believe in to help them deal with the trials of life.

But we have faith, not because of our lack of understanding, but because it’s the only thing that makes sense.

Jesus brothers later went on to:

James wrote the book of James and was one of the pillars of early Christianity.

Judas wrote the book of Jude warning people to contend for the faith.

Those people who don’t see the point in Christianity, keep praying for them. Lord willing they will come around.

Does Jesus Not Want to Care For His Mother?

Did Jesus not honor His mother? Was He disowning His family?

No, Jesus had nothing but love and respect for His mother. Taking care of her. Even on the cross

John 19:26–27 ESV

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

This is Jesus making sure that His mother was taken care of, so what is happening here?

Some think this could give the excuse to not take care of their families.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV

8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Some think this means care for the church first, then after take care of your family.

1 Timothy 3:4–5 ESV

4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

Your responsibility is to God, Family, then church.

Jesus is using the time to demonstrate a greater point, that is pointing to the family of God.

Family of God

The family of God is not defined by bloodline, but obedience.

Jesus is making the point that it doesn’t matter if you a son of Joseph from the lineage of David, if you are even a Jew or if you are a gentile.

No matter what family line you are from you are in the family of Jesus, also known as the family of God when you hear the word of God and do it.

Ephesians 2:11–13 ESV

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

We as gentiles were far off, but now because of what Jesus has done not our own works we have been brought near.

Ephesians 2:18–19 ESV

18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Being brought near means that we are now members of the household of God.

Galatians 4:4–6 ESV

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

Romans 8:14–15 ESV

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

This is what Jesus was teaching, you want to have royal prestige, you need to be adopted by the king. You want to be adopted by the king, it is only through accepting what Jesus has done on the cross.

The evidence for that acceptance as Jesus puts it, “those who hear the word of God and do it.”