Who is my Mother, my Brother?
To watch the sermon Who is My Mother, who is my brother? | Matthew 12:46-50
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Understanding True Family in God's Kingdom
In a culture obsessed with bloodlines, genealogy, and family heritage, Jesus delivered one of his most shocking statements. When his mother and brothers came looking for him while he was teaching, Jesus asked a question that would have scandalized his first-century audience: "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?"
The Cultural Shock of Jesus' Response
To understand the magnitude of this moment, we must recognize that Jesus lived in an honor-shame culture where family meant everything. Unlike our modern society where we often place elderly parents in nursing homes, first-century Israel operated on deep respect for family hierarchy. You simply did not disrespect your mother, especially publicly.
When someone told Jesus that his family was waiting outside, the cultural expectation was immediate response. Family outranked everything else. Yet Jesus didn't pause his teaching, didn't step outside, and didn't even call them in. Instead, he used this moment to deliver a theological earthquake.
Why Genealogy Mattered So Much in Israel
In ancient Israel, genealogy determined everything - your identity, authority, and honor. You couldn't serve in the priesthood without proper lineage. Entire communities, like the Essenes, separated themselves based on genealogical disputes. The endless lists of "begats" in Chronicles weren't just historical records; they were the foundation of society.
But genealogy served a greater purpose in God's plan. It pointed toward the Messiah. Once Jesus arrived, the signpost had served its function. The King was declaring that biology no longer qualified people for God's kingdom - only he could qualify them.
Redefining Biblical Belonging
Obedience Over Biology
Jesus wasn't confused about who his earthly family was, nor was he dishonoring Mary. He was redefining familial lines entirely. Pointing to his disciples, he declared: "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
This was revolutionary. The kingdom of God didn't ask who your parents were - it asked who you followed.
Adoption Over Bloodlines
God's family was never meant to be exclusive based on skin color, wealth, tribe, dialect, or social status. Israel was given their calling to be a light to the nations, but they had turned it into a social club. Jesus dismantled this by declaring that living water outranks bloodline every time.
What This Means for Modern Believers
The Only Bloodline That Matters
You may be born one way, but all must be born again the same way. The only family name that carries authority in heaven is Jesus'. You can walk in with your family crest or DNA results, but none of it matters unless you're covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Your Pride Must Die
The labels we use to make ourselves feel more comfortable must die. Self-righteousness, pride, and ego must die. We're not holier than anyone else. There's only one who's holy, and we should be able to unite on that truth.
Stop Leading with Labels
Whether you're Baptist, Pentecostal, Torah-observant, or any other denomination, the only question that matters is: Are you bought with the blood of the Lamb? Jesus should be the label by which you identify yourself, and your life should reflect Christ.
The Challenge of True Christian Family
If you look around any church, there are people you've never met. Whether you like it or not, if you are in Christ, they are your brothers and sisters. You're adopted into the same household with the same promise.
This means:
Those you disagree with politically can still be family
Those from different denominations are still family
Those who worship differently are still family
Those you naturally dislike are still family
The person you think you won't sit with at the wedding feast will probably be seated right next to you.
A House with No Lord Is an Empty House
Just as Jesus warned about the empty house that gets swept clean but remains hollow, a life without Christ's lordship invites spiritual occupation by other forces. There's only one Spirit that brings life through occupation - the Spirit of Jesus.
The most Torah-literate generation was called "evil and adulterous" by the one who gave the Torah. It wasn't because the Torah was wrong, but because what they did with it didn't match the will of their Father in heaven.
Life Application
This week, examine your heart for the labels and identities you cling to that might be preventing you from fully embracing your brothers and sisters in Christ. Stop fighting against other believers because of political differences, denominational preferences, or cultural backgrounds.
Choose to see fellow believers as family, not strangers. Turn off the divisive news and start building relationships with believers who are different from you. Remember that your earthly family tree may have good and bad branches, but the tree of life is the family tree you're adopted into through Christ.
Questions for reflection:
What labels or identities do you cling to that might be hindering your relationships with other believers?
How can you practically demonstrate that you see other Christians as true family this week?
Are there believers you've been avoiding or dismissing because of differences that don't affect salvation?
What would change in your church relationships if you truly believed every believer was your brother or sister?
