⁴³ “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. ⁴⁴ Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

⁴⁶ While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

⁴⁸ He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Pointing to 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.”

True Family

Jesus, you are true family.  You are closer than a brother or sister.  I have never had one, but you don’t walk with them everywhere.  You have our best interests at heart.  You are on our side and we were created to be on your side.  We were created to walk with you every second of every day.  We share the same Father, only you were begotten and we were adopted.  Adoption is a more powerful idea now that I have two children.  I balk at those who ignorantly ask, “Did you adopt after you couldn’t have any children of your own?”  My two adopted children are every part our own.  I hear from those with adopted and biological children that they do not favour their biological children.  We are co-heirs with you of what the Father has to offer.  All of your riches in the Spirit are ours.  We are not less because we are adopted, although we are less in nature we are not less in status as children.

As I am thinking about our status it seems wrong.  We are not equal with you, Jesus, in what we are capable of.  If we have access to the Father through your death, it is enough.  Yet, we have all the rights of children.  That is too wonderful to grasp.  If we continue in serving the Kingdom of Heaven, we show that we are heirs.  Jesus, you are our brother.  That seems strange.  What do brothers like you and I do?  How familiar are we?  I don’t know what a brother should be.  I think brothers might include each other in gatherings and talk over family business with each other.  That is what they do.  However, the true family bond is that of unconditional love.  Help me not to have conditions on my love for you.  Help me to see that you accept me unconditionally and then you help me to change.

Questions

1. What happens to a person whose life is changed externally, but their heart is not in it?
2. Why does Jesus refuse to see his mother and brothers?
3. What does Jesus mean in telling his disciples they are his family?
4. What is the essence of family to you?
5. How could you enhance your understanding of family and grow closer to the Father and the Son?