Word@Work 037 - Mark 3:31-35
Published: Thu, 01/10/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 3:31-35 Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. 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." (NIV)
Families are very important to God. The Bible says that every family derives its special qualities from Father God Himself. So, when Jesus apparently disowns His mother and brothers, what is going on? Is He disobeying the 5th Commandment?
In one sense, parental honour has to do with their authority as being "in loco Deo" (in place of God) ... a child needs parents who faithfully instil truth and reject error; and they do so as agents of God.
However, with Jesus, the command chain worked the other way. It was He who spoke the authoritative Word of God because He was the Word of God. However good Mary may have been, she certainly got it wrong on this occasion as she came to rescue her boy from His 'delusions'.
The true family of Jesus are still marked out by their willingness to do what God wants. Although God's Will should be faithfully transmitted by our parents - they cannot define it or make it up. It is Jesus who has the right to do that. While we have a duty of honour to our parents, we have a higher duty to Jesus. Where obligations conflict, it is the voice of Jesus that is in control of the situation.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I know I am called to honour my parents and value my family. But when Your voice calls me to a different way, please help me to obey and to explain with simple clarity and good grace. In Jesus Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Families are very important to God. The Bible says that every family derives its special qualities from Father God Himself. So, when Jesus apparently disowns His mother and brothers, what is going on? Is He disobeying the 5th Commandment?
In one sense, parental honour has to do with their authority as being "in loco Deo" (in place of God) ... a child needs parents who faithfully instil truth and reject error; and they do so as agents of God.
However, with Jesus, the command chain worked the other way. It was He who spoke the authoritative Word of God because He was the Word of God. However good Mary may have been, she certainly got it wrong on this occasion as she came to rescue her boy from His 'delusions'.
The true family of Jesus are still marked out by their willingness to do what God wants. Although God's Will should be faithfully transmitted by our parents - they cannot define it or make it up. It is Jesus who has the right to do that. While we have a duty of honour to our parents, we have a higher duty to Jesus. Where obligations conflict, it is the voice of Jesus that is in control of the situation.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I know I am called to honour my parents and value my family. But when Your voice calls me to a different way, please help me to obey and to explain with simple clarity and good grace. In Jesus Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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