In our previous article, Jesus’ family heard news of his doings and thought he might have gone crazy. “Jesus entered a house, and the crowd gathered again so that they were not even able to eat. When his family heard this, they set out to restrain him, because they said, “He’s out of his mind.” (Mark 3:20–21, CSB)
A bit later, His family does show up.“His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent word to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him and told him, “Look, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside asking for you.” (Mark 3:31–32, CSB)
There is so much that we do not know about Jesus’ early life and family. We know the story of His birth and His parents, Mary and Joseph. We can glean that He had brothers and sisters. Matthew 13:55 lists the names of His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. We know that some didn’t seem to support Jesus’ ministry until after the resurrection, notably, James and Judas(Jude). We also know Jesus had sisters, but we don’t know how many or their names. Based on his absence, we also assume that Joseph died before Jesus began His public ministry.
To answer the word sent to Him that His family was there, “He replied to them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” Looking at those sitting in a circle around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:33–35, CSB) Is Jesus dismissing and rejecting His family? No, but He is putting things in order of priority.
The will of God comes first. One part of Jesus’ sermon on the mount is to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (Matthew 6:33, CSB) That is the message Jesus is communicating to His family and His disciples.
Families do matter. Jesus scolded the Pharisees for using the Law to skirt family responsibility. “For Moses said: Honor your father and your mother; and Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death. But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or mother: Whatever benefit you might have received from me is corban’ ” (that is, an offering devoted to God), “you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other similar things.” (Mark 7:10–13, CSB)
Getting these competing relationships right isn’t easy. Sometimes we must tell our earthly families “no” or “later” to follow God’s will. But neither is it God’s will to neglect or fail to love our family members. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Seek it as you strive to follow Jesus. Seek it as you serve your family. Seek it as you encounter other brothers and sisters in Christ. Seek the Kingdom as you interact with folks at work, school, the roadway, and the marketplace. And yes, some folks may think you’re crazy, but keep following Jesus anyway.
- Mark: Consider the Sower - May 28, 2025
- Mark – Family Matters - May 26, 2025
- Mark: A House Divided - May 22, 2025
