Grant B. Caldwell
01/01/09
Jesus said, "Who is My mother and who are My Brothers . . . Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:48-50).
First Things First — Jesus had been dealing with the charge that He worked His miracles by the power of Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons (verse 24). This was one of the most important points in His life. If the charge was allowed to stand, He would lose the force behind the proof of who He is. He could not be distracted. He must demonstrate to them that their charge was completely without foundation. While in this discussion, His family showed up and wanted to talk. Their position in His life – mother and brothers – was used to interrupt and take Him away from what He was doing. Was His family more important than His sacred work? In each of our lives, we often have to make choices between our physical life and our spiritual life. It is necessary to evaluate which is more important to us. Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (6:33). What may seem urgent to us may have to be set aside for what is truly important.
Family Position — There has been established a entire doctrine around the supposed position of the mother of Jesus. This doctrine places her in a position between men and Christ. She is called the mediatrix. Men pray to and through her. She is hailed and praised. She herself is said to have had an immaculate conception. While none of these ideas are supported by sacred scripture, they are believed by masses in certain religions. In this text, however, Jesus shows that His mother and brothers do not hold as great a position in His life as His disciples do. "He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers’!" (verse 49). This is the divine family of Jesus. His mother has nothing to do with it. She is not one of the sacred figures.
Doing The Will Of God — The thing that makes the difference in our lives is whether or not we are willing to submit to the divine will. Jesus said, "Not every one who says to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). That is not just anyone who wants to claim the right to speak. It is the revealed word of God that will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). Our appeal has been and will continue to be: Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. Call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways. It is our earnest prayer that you will search your Bible diligently making every effort always to do the will of God.