I didn’t have a traditional family life. I joke about my Dad seeing me when I was born and left. I say that just to cover the pain of being abandoned. I read this passage in Mark 3:21 and I see that Jesus has a family that cares enough to try to intervene. They think Jesus is “out of his mind.” Jesus is on a collision course with confrontation that will lead to the cross. Jesus knows it, His family knows it, and we all know it. However, it does not alter Jesus in anyway. In fact, it intensifies. Jesus in Mark 3:31-35 redefines family. This does not mean that Jesus does not love His physical family but He reframes it and re-prioritizes it. Family is important but the family that follows the will of God is paramount.
The struggle of my family life has been a blessing in that it has helped me to see the truth Jesus proclaims about the priority of the spiritual family of God. It has allowed me to embrace the church and with all our faults find a family that goes beyond the physical to the eternal. However, I am curious about those who have close families and the struggle that this passage may create. I have known those who have been ostracized from their family because of their desire to follow God’s will. Discipleship is difficult because even though we may love our families, there is still the uncomfortable call that to follow Jesus, our families must come second. This is easy for me but for others I see the cost of discipleship is great. May God bless those of you who struggle today with the call of Christ and an unbelieving family.
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