Faith and Family

Jesus said some controversial things about family and he was not immune to the challenges associated with family relationships. In Mark 3, we read how his family responded when he arrived in his home city. Prior to this, Jesus had healed the man with the withered hand, he travelled through Tyre and Sidon and crowds pressed against him and received healing. When the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out that he is the son of God. He went up to the mountain and appointed the twelve apostles and then went home to try to get away from the crowds. They could not even get a chance to eat, because the crowds came from everywhere to see him and to make contact with him. “And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind”” (Mark 3:21).

Later that day, as Jesus taught, the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem who also followed him, accused him of being possessed by the devil. Jesus knew what they were saying and asked them how could satan cast out satan? “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (Mark 3:24). A house divided against itself is defenceless from outside attack. He also warned them that anyone who blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, would not be forgiven. While he was teaching, his mother and brothers came outside, to ask for him to come to see them. The crowds mentioned to Jesus that his family were there and He asked them to explain who are his mother and brothers. He looked at them, looked at the people around him and said, ‘here are my mother and my brothers! “For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother”’ (Mark 3:35).

The text does not say anymore about whether or not Jesus went out to see his family. Perhaps he said these things because they wanted to seize him earlier. Imagine his own family wanting to seize him and calling him mad, while he was doing the will of God. Either way, Jesus made references to family at other times during his ministry. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29). I don’t think his approach was one where he intended to disown his family. Nevertheless, they did not support his ministry and if given the chance, could have become a major stumbling block. His parents also didn’t understand his actions, when he went to speak to the elders in the temple at age twelve.

One would expect Mary and her children to have a greater understanding of Jesus’s purpose and ministry. An angel appeared to her before his conception and all the events surrounding his birth, should have prepared her for his life. Perhaps, even Mary could not see past Jesus as her firstborn son and his brothers perhaps thought he was a rebel or an outcast. Either way, Jesus did not allow the sentimentality of family to distract him. If his family walked in alignment with the will and purpose of God, then he would gladly embrace them. Once they failed to understand his assignment and could jeopardise his ministry, he didn’t have too much time for them. We have to learn from Jesus’s example and while we love our family and honour our parents, absolutely no one should stand in the way of our God given purpose and destiny. Being close to family is ideal, however, this may not always be the reality.

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37).

A.P.-Y.