Daily Bread 2011 - Mark 3
Daily Bread 2011 – Monday February 14th, 2011 Mark 3:31-34
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
What Does This Mean?
The bible is clear that Jesus had at least 4 brothers, and Matthew 13:35 implies that he had sisters as well. The Roman Catholic Church argues for Mary’s perpetual virginity, but it is pretty hard to get around these passages that specifically name Jesus’ brothers. (I.e. Matthew 13:55: “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?)
Some Roman Catholics claim these were his cousins, but there is another Greek word for “cousin” and that term isn’t used. Plus the brothers are portrayed with their mother, Mary; so it seems logical to assume that they are his brothers. Another argument is that Joseph had children before he was married, but that really doesn’t make sense. After all where were they all when Joseph and Mary journeyed to Bethlehem.
But importantly though Jesus is not trying to disrespect his mother and father, he says that anyone who does God’s will is His brother or sister. This is consistent with the fact that when we are born again through faith in Christ, we become part of God’s holy family.
What Does This Mean For Us?
It means that one of the beautiful things about being in a Christian community is that through Christ we are brothers and sisters in the family of God. While not negating the bond with our families of origin, the Christian faith creates a whole new family that will be with us in this life and in heaven.
Sometimes the toughest struggle is when someone in our earthly family is not a believer. Since we have such a strong natural love for our own family we long for our earthly family to belong to God’s family. Often it is hard to share Christ’s love with one’s family because family members might be offended that you are implying they are not a Christian. This can cause a lot of hardship. The best way to witness to an unbelieving family member is to love them unconditionally, pray for them to be open to the Holy Spirit, and finally to demonstrate Christ’s love in Word and Deed.
Jesus we thank you for the heavenly family you have called us to be a part of. We pray for those who have family members outside of that family and pray that they can be a positive influence to bring them into Your Kingdom. Amen.
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
What Does This Mean?
The bible is clear that Jesus had at least 4 brothers, and Matthew 13:35 implies that he had sisters as well. The Roman Catholic Church argues for Mary’s perpetual virginity, but it is pretty hard to get around these passages that specifically name Jesus’ brothers. (I.e. Matthew 13:55: “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?)
Some Roman Catholics claim these were his cousins, but there is another Greek word for “cousin” and that term isn’t used. Plus the brothers are portrayed with their mother, Mary; so it seems logical to assume that they are his brothers. Another argument is that Joseph had children before he was married, but that really doesn’t make sense. After all where were they all when Joseph and Mary journeyed to Bethlehem.
But importantly though Jesus is not trying to disrespect his mother and father, he says that anyone who does God’s will is His brother or sister. This is consistent with the fact that when we are born again through faith in Christ, we become part of God’s holy family.
What Does This Mean For Us?
It means that one of the beautiful things about being in a Christian community is that through Christ we are brothers and sisters in the family of God. While not negating the bond with our families of origin, the Christian faith creates a whole new family that will be with us in this life and in heaven.
Sometimes the toughest struggle is when someone in our earthly family is not a believer. Since we have such a strong natural love for our own family we long for our earthly family to belong to God’s family. Often it is hard to share Christ’s love with one’s family because family members might be offended that you are implying they are not a Christian. This can cause a lot of hardship. The best way to witness to an unbelieving family member is to love them unconditionally, pray for them to be open to the Holy Spirit, and finally to demonstrate Christ’s love in Word and Deed.
Jesus we thank you for the heavenly family you have called us to be a part of. We pray for those who have family members outside of that family and pray that they can be a positive influence to bring them into Your Kingdom. Amen.
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