The person who obeys God's will is my brother and sister and mother. (The Message)
The NIV gives a little blurb about verse 35 and it says - membership in God's spiritual family, evidenced by obedience to him, is more important than membership in our human families.
From what I've gathered, Jesus had difficulties with some of his half brothers. And in this particular story, mom and brothers show up and want to see him, but Jesus turned to the group and said, 'Who are my mother and brothers'? 'Here are my mother and brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.' (NIV)
Like Jesus, I think most of can find a relative or two that we may have trouble with. Jesus' biological family wasn't perfect and neither is ours.
My devotions say that Jesus didn't try to control their behavior or let their behavior control Him and he didn't demand they agree with him. They did their thing and He did his.
I think we sometimes want to change people, especially ones we think are difficult to get along with, we want them to think or act like us or like we want them to. We must never stop praying for that difficult family member, but rather than trying to change them into who we want, (as only they can decide to change) we need to put our main focus on our spiritual family.
I am trying to put focus on my family in Christ, I am trying to be obedient and surrender everything to God and not to focus on difficult family members. I need to be with those who share my faith, who will encourage me and who will support me emotionally and never laugh or put me down for things beyond my control. My brothers and sisters in Christ can do that and I am so thankful that I have them in my life.
Nancy W
