The Family Tree
“And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren.” Matthew 12:49
Jesus had been speaking to a crowd of people as was His usual daily habit. While He was speaking, His mother Mary and His brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55), waited on the outer perimeter in hopes of getting to talk with Him. He had been so busy tending to the Father’s business (Luke 2:49) that He had little time for family get-togethers. You know that they, particularly Mary, missed His companionship. When it was reported that they were waiting on Him, Jesus asked, “Who is My mother? and who are My brothers?”
That would be a strange question if it was asked by any of us, but it presented another teachable moment for the Savior. Jesus then indicated with a sweep of His arm and hand over the crowd that the common, ordinary, everyday people were His mother and His brothers if they did the will of His Father which was and is that His Son be honored as Lord and Savior. Jesus was not being disrespectful to His earthly family. They would one day understand His mission. I think Mary was much more attuned to Jesus’ mission because she had been told before Jesus was formed in her womb that He would be called the Son of the highest and reign over the throne of David (Luke 1:32).
However, Jesus’ brothers may have been offended because they did not become believers until after the resurrection. We might wonder how things were at home when Jesus was there. We wonder what His brothers thought of Him, particularly when He left home to begin His ministry to the people of Israel. Were they proud of Him for His dedication to God or were they a little jealous that He was able to travel around with a group of men and left them to do all the work at home? We don’t know what their attitude was, but we do know from scripture that the folks of Nazareth who watched Jesus grow into manhood were astonished at His wisdom and mighty works when He returned to teach them in the synagogue. But rather than appreciating Him, they were offended at Him. Because of their unbelief, Jesus did very little mighty works in Nazareth (Matthew 13:54-58).
To know that Jesus considers His followers to be much more than acquaintances, but to be brothers and sisters of the King of kings and Lord of lords should make us feel very special and very loved.