Family

Mark 3:31-35

            We like choices.  And in this country we are blessed to have many choices.  Beef or chicken?  Spaghetti or rotini? Peas or green beans?  Mexican or Chinese?  Comedy or drama?  SUV or sedan?  Red or blue?  We could go on and on.

            Now, many choices are relatively inconsequential like those we just noted.  Some are quite weighty.  College, trade school, work force?  Marry or not?  Whom to marry?  Buy a house or not?  What job?  Where to live?  Et al.

            And then, some choices are life and death.  In some countries, choosing to become a Christian is a life and death decision.  (We’re not talking about eternal life and the second death.)  Consider this decision which members of the Iranian women’s soccer team recently had to make.  When their national anthem was played for the first time at Australia’s Asian Cup tournament, they remained silent.  Later they changed, but it was too late.  Their government labeled them “wartime traitors.”  But then, they had to make a decision.  Would they go home or not? Asylum was available, but that meant almost certain death or torture for their families back home.  Already, some of their family members had been detained.  In the end, all but two went back to Iran to face whatever consequences there might be - even death for them.  The bonds of family are truly powerful!

            Now consider our text in which Jesus was teaching in a house which was crowded with people.  His mother and brothers arrive and want to see Him.  Jesus’ response is often ridiculed when He looked at all those around Him and said: “Behold My mother and My brothers!  For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”  Although the narrative ends there, I feel certain that Jesus did not ignore His family.  He was taking opportunity to teach a spiritual truth.

            Just as the bonds of our earthly families are strong, so are those of our spiritual family.  Over the years - yes, even today many people continue to choose Christ and His family over their own (Mark 10:29-31).  Truly a “life and death” decision.

                                                            ><>  Jeff