The family of Jesus

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To be honest, Jesus’ behaviour and his comments sometimes border on being offensive. Take today’s gospel, for example, taken from Mark 3:31-35 where Jesus is informed that his mother and brothers are outside the house where he appears to be teaching. Twice, in this passage, it states that Jesus’ mother and brothers are outside. In contrast to those who are inside. From an earlier text, it seems that Jesus’ brothers seek to “seize” him. This is the only occasion in Mark’s gospel where the mother of Jesus appears in person. But it is not clear whether she shares the concern of the brothers who appear to be disturbed by Jesus’ ministry and teaching and are seeking to take him home and maybe drive some sense into him! Instead of coming out to at least talk to them, Jesus turns to those who are sitting inside the house and asks the question, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He points to those sitting around him and says, “Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.” Maybe Jesus’ blood family really did have trouble with Jesus’ preaching and his band of followers.

 

So let us give them credit for struggling with what Jesus was on about. Let us see the very humanity of this incident in all in possible offensiveness or disturbance. Jesus was challenging those around him to live up to what it means to be a member of this new family he was proclaiming. This family was being called to live up to what it means to be most truly human, to be most truly what God had intended from the very beginning of creation. What does that mean? Well, this is what we are called to continually struggle with. There is no easy answer. But just to raise the question can seem offensive. Of course, I am Jesus’ mother and sister and brother. Wait, just give me a chance to think about this. I hope I am. I hope we are. Especially in a world where so many high-profile people are making clear and definite statements about how good and clever they are, I think we need to pause a moment and face the questions, “Am I a member of Jesus’ family and do I carry out God’s will?” If you struggle with these questions, don’t worry, you’re in good company.