A New Family

Luke 8:19-21 (ESV)
Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. [20] And he was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you." [21] But he answered them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."
In Mark’s gospel it is explained that Mary and her sons had come to get Jesus because they believed him to be a bit cracked.
It was one of the many temptations that Jesus had in his ministry. His family knew where his preaching would land him. They wanted to bring him home, and watch him, nay say. Perhaps he thought he would tarnish their name. Family can be that way. The temptation was to go home, and stay where his family would love him, to not forsake their love. But his love for you and me was greater. He turns his back on family, knowing full well that meant going to the cross for you and me.
Luke leaves all this out, perhaps because at this time Jesus’ brothers had become leaders in the church and he didn’t want to ruin their reputations.
But the fact remains, Jesus gave up his family for you and I. Today, it is family that so often stands in the way of faith. One sees a particularly stark example of that here in Mormon country. Mormons will often disown a family member for joining a Christian church, all the while claiming to be Christians themselves. And many people cave, they won’t join until parents are dead or whatever. Let the dead bury their own dead. I hardly think it family worth having, family that would disown a person for joining a different church. This is not Christian behavior, even if it is chronicled among Christians in “We Sinners”. This is obnoxious. This is not the love of God for his children, that would shun them in such a manner. This is one reason I despise Amish.
It was a painful choice that Mary put before Jesus. He chose you, over his mother. That is the love he has for you. He chose going to the cross for you, over listening to his mother. And in doing so, he realigns what it means to have family. His family he says are those who listen to the word of God and do it. The Greek is a participle, the do it, a present active participle, are doing it. I suppose it is a tough thing to translate. Doing it, that is listening to it, and taking it home, letting it have its way with your life, believing it and letting the lamp shine through you. And when this happens, you have a new family, the family of Christ, who is our brother, who died for you as no other family member is willing to to. This is the only family worth having.