The True "Family Of Jesus"

A wonderful blessing is that of having a family

     a. A source of love and acceptance
     b. A stronghold of support and encouragement

But we are not limited to the blessings of a physical family...

    a. Jesus hinted at the existence of an extended family (Mk 10:28-30)

         1) A benefit of leaving all to follow Him

         2) Even if it meant leaving one's physical family     

     b. He used another opportunity to describe that family (Mt 12:46-50)

         1) As His physical family sought to speak to Him

         2) He described those who made up His "spiritual" family Jesus used this opportunity to identify true family (Mt 12:48-49)

He then described anyone who "does the will of My Father in heaven" as His brother, sister, and mother  (Mt 12:50)

Why would Jesus identify His disciples as His true family?

     a. Our physical families are only temporary 

          1) Begun at birth, ending at death

          2) Just as death ends the marriage bond, so it ends the familial tie (Rom 7:2-3)

-- Emotionally we might resist this notion, but the fact remains the same

     b. Physical unions do not always mean spiritual ones

          1) At the time Jesus spoke, His brothers did not believe in Him

          2) As often happens, family members do not always have the same interests, the same concerns

          3) Jesus taught that physical relatives might not accept the truth (Mt 10:34-37)

-- Thus the true "Family Of Jesus" are those who do His Father's Will
Bits and Pieces of Sermons from Matthew