Family of Faith

While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” ⁴⁸But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ⁵⁰For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:46-50

In most cultures, and Jesus' was no exception, one's identity is largely determined by their family. Like it or not, we are connected to our family permanently. This is a legal and biological fact, but also makes sense from a survival perspective as well. We often turn to family in times of struggle or suffering. Even in the hardest times, family members help one another and care when others won't. This is why the scriptures often lift up the needs of the widows, orphans, and strangers because they lack the familial support others have.

When Jesus tells the disciples they are his true family, rather than his biological family it is jolting. He offers an alternative framework whereby faith and discipleship are the primary factors that determine whom we are to be committed to. If all Christians are my "brothers and sisters" and are to be afforded the same level of care and commitment I offer my own biological family, then I must significantly increase my level of concern for others. Jesus isn't rejecting his family per se (notice his mother and brothers are not in the room with him when he says this), but he is making clear to his followers that he values them completely.

These disciples left everything to follow Jesus, including their families and support systems. In doing so, Jesus offers them a new family, the family of faith. The family of faith is an open family that does not require, birth or marriage to be included. Instead, the family of faith functions as a group of children all adopted by God; taken in, and permanently included. The family of faith always has room for more and no one is forced to sit at the kids table.

Prayer: Lord help me to see my fellow human beings as my brothers and sisters, and to increase my level of commitment to their needs. Help me increase my empathy for those who struggle and my joy for those who celebrate, in Jesus' name, AMEN.