08/08/13

Behold my brother, sister and mother

Matthew 12:49,50 - And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

The Bible gives us the Truth, even though it tells us of great Men and Women of God it does not fail to expose the weakness and failures of each and every one of them from Noah to John & Peter including Mary the mother of Jesus.

Mary's submission to the will of God is seen as a great example of faith. Her dedication to Jesus Christ is seen by her sticking to Jesus at the cost of leaving her other children even when He was crucified on the crucifix. She along with her sister Salome (mother of John and James whom Jesus called lovingly also Mary) and Mary Magdalene (her younger son James was also there with them) did not fear the large crowd of people mocking and abusing Jesus as He hung from the cross.

Mary Magdalene and Salome's name do not show up after the death of Jesus but we see his mother Mary was there with the Apostles for a period of time.

There are 3 incidents in which Mary displeased Jesus.

The first time was when Jesus as a 12 year child was lost on their journey to the temple and found later (they had gone to fulfil a Jewish custom). Mary was worried when she realized Jesus was lost and when she found Him she scolded Him for not sticking with them. Instead of quietly listening or apologizing Jesus reminds her about His mission, He later keeps quiet. Mary feels bad and hurt for Jesus as a child spoke to her in a firm tone, which He had never done before. The scriptures say Mary 'kept all these sayings in her heart', people think Mary as a disciple of Jesus remembered the words as teaching, that is not the case it was a mother who was hurt by the firm words of her little son.

The second time was at the marriage of Mary's daughter at Cana. At the marriage Mary was helping in the arrangements and looking after the guest needs therefore went 3 days before the marriage ceremony. Jesus came to the marriage ceremony later along with His disciples. When the host (the family of the groom hosted the marriage for according to customs the event is held at the house of the groom) ran out of wine Mary became desperate and asked Jesus to help. Since it was just to keep the reputation of the host Jesus was not keen to help, for everything He did was to glorify God and not Himself. But then under persistent persuasion of His mother He did turn water into wine. The Bible makes it a point to note the unhappiness of Jesus to do this miracle, it also says after the miracle Jesus' showed His glory and not the glory of His Father in Heaven, which was what Jesus did not want at all. If Jesus wanted just to make disciples He could have done many things which people would have been fascinated with and believe Him, which He did not. In all things that Jesus did, He did with purpose and the purpose was to glorify the Father and not Himself. He always desired the Father to glorify Him and He glorify Himself.

The third incident is the one given in today's message. This incident is better recorded by Mark in his Gospel. At this moment Jesus was accused by the Jews to have powers to do things by demons in Him. Mary and one of her sons on hearing this got worried and came running to see if Jesus was okay.

Jesus at that time was preaching in a house which was fully crowded, Mary and her son could not enter the house, but the anxiety to know of His wellbeing could not let Mary and her son to wait patiently outside. In between His preaching they send in a message asking Jesus come out to meet them. At this Jesus gets upset. Firstly they went to the level of thinking Jesus was affected with an evil spirit and then they showed their impatience. When He is asked about His blessed family, Jesus angrily says His real family is those who do the will of the Father.

Today the Lord is telling us even at the times when we are disturbed or shaken in faith if we still believe in Jesus and hold on to Him, it pleases Jesus. The will of the Father is that people accept His Son and come to Him through Him. If we do the will of the Father then we are family to Jesus and Jesus says where He is we too will be. When Jesus ascended after 40 days of His resurrection He specified He was going to the House of the Father. The House of the Father is only for family members so let is never loss hope in Jesus or forsake Him if we want to be family and dwell in the House of the Father.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You came as man to be the way for mankind to be saved. You are the only way for it is only our faith in You we receive the Holy Spirit and it is by the power of the Holy Spirit we are saved. Lord, help us to never forsake You or be shaken in our faith in You. That we may always remain to be your Family...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference ]
Luke 2:44-51
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

John 2:1-11
1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Matthew 12:46-50
46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Mark 3:30-35
30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Luke 11:26-28
26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

John 12:26-30
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.


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