Reading the Word

Matthew 12:46–50 (ESV)

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Parallel Texts: Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21

Understanding and Applying the Word

While Jesus was drawing crowds and rumors about him being the Messiah were spreading, his family came to see him. Mark tells us in 3:20-21 that they thought Jesus was “out of his mind.” John tells us in 7:1-5 that at least some of his brothers did not believe in him. When word was brought to Jesus that his mother and brothers wanted to speak to him, he replied, “Who are my mother and brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

With these words, Jesus tells us who is true family is. They are the disciples who live in obedience to the will of God. Jesus’ true followers enter into a relationship with him that is more significant and longer lasting than that of a biological family. The family of God is open to all who believe and follow Christ. The Church is the representation of this family in the world. We belong to the family of God. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. And we ought to think of our spiritual family in the same way that Jesus did. It is of great and eternal significance!

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