Part of His Family

Matthew 12:50 – or whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

As Jesus’ family, his mother and brothers may have expected special privileges. 

Jesus’ mother and brothers come looking for him. They possibly came in the hope of appealing to him to not be so controversial in his ministry.  “The members of his family had come to take him because they thought him beside himself. No doubt the Pharisees had so represented his ministry to his relatives that they thought they had better restrain him.” (Spurgeon)

The family, however, did not have any special privileges. Jesus said that those who do the will of the Father are as dear to him, as his own mother and brothers, Believers united with him by his indwelling Spirit are his best-acknowledged relatives who stand in stark contrast to the evil and adulterous generation represented by the Pharisees (Matthew 12:39). The disciples were his family.

Disciples of Christ who do the will of the Father are part of his divine family. What an undeserved privilege for us sinful mortals, to be children of the Almighty, all-powerful King of kings and Lord of lords. What is our reasonable response to this awesome privilege? To love Him more than all others, giving our best to and for him, all the days of our lives! (Romans 12:1-2)

Is Jesus receiving the highest devotion in your life?