Family
Day 535, Wednesday, Jan. 28
Mark 2:18 – 3:35
Modern biographies, like modern psychology, usually put a lot of emphasis on a person’s family of origin. Many of the Old Testament stories revealed a lot about the family dynamics of the founders of the faith. By contrast, the gospels give us little information about Jesus’s formative years.
Chapter 3 gives us one of the few insights we have into his family. Verse 31 says, “Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone to call him.”
When he is told of their presence, Jesus responds with the apparently rhetorical question, “Who are my mother and brothers?”
“Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’”
It’s not as though Jesus rejects his earthly family. When he is about to die he ensures that his mother will be cared for.
But he seems to understand that the family ties by being one in the faith are even more significant than ties of blood.
This is especially significant when we consider the place of gentiles in the family of faith. The Jews, as children of Abraham, saw themselves as family in a literal sense, not just spiritually. Now Jesus is saying the bonds of shared faith, discipleship and mission are even more significant than those of shared ancestry.
Remember in Matthew chapter 3 where Jesus said, “And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.’”
Wednesday meditation
Psalms 70:1-5
Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me.
May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”
But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.
Prayer focus
I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God.
-Rev. Mark Fleming