TRUE FAMILY

 

In this chapter of Mark, Jesus Redefines the concept of "family". His Family - brothers and mother thought He was losing His sanity, so they came to bring Him back to Nazareth. (v 21) But He answered them that those who do the will of the Lord are His family not the people who are related by blood. 

In this scene, Jesus did not just established His kingdom and new nation but also a new family. His vision of the family is not the physical relationship but the spiritual kinship. Such relationship is inseparable from obeying God's will, that is, God's word.

When we become true followers of Christ, we are called to a whole new world, including a new set of relationship and true loyalty.

This doesn't mean we abandon our physical family to avoid our responsiblity of taking care of our parents (Matthew 7:11)  but they shouldn't be the reason for us not to obey the will of the Father and If they do hinder us, let's take Jesus example and keep our eyes on Him even if it means stepping back and leaving your family behind, He promised that if we do, He will replace what we have lost. (Mark 10:29-30)

Let us reflect:

Who is our TRUE FAMILY?

- Was there a time when we hinder our loved ones to do God's will by persecuting them? Then, you are not a family. 

- Was there a time when you supported your loved one to continue working for the Lord? (financially or spiritually) Then, you are a family.

- Was there a time when you were ridiculed, call you fake or hypocrite by your family for doing God's will? (because you have corrected and rebuked them) Then, they are not your family.

- Was there a time when your family was all support to your endeavor with the Lord? Then, they are your family.

**It does hurt so much when we are persecuted by our own family -- but....

Let us remember this: 

Jesus is clear that following Him will cause serious divisions within families. In Mark 13:12–13 He says, "And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name's sake.

Amen.