It seemed so disrespectiful

Mark 3:31-35

“And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

I was very young in the faith the first time I gave thought to what Jesus was saying and this seems so disrespectful to His mother and family.  I did say I was young in my new faith, not in my belief that Jesus was the Son of God, not that He was born of a virgin.  But moving from knowledge to a relationship of asking Jesus to forgive me for being the lord of the ring, looking to myself and others and not to Him. 

I was on a new journey of learning and unlearning much of what I took for truth.  I had convictions I had never had in the past, and I often came under the discipline of my Father, and it was not to harm me but to change me into a man who walked upright in the presence of both God and man.  I’m now 76 years of age and understand how little I know about many things, especially the ways of God.

I often hear people talk about a life verse, and I assume they mean a verse that gives direction to their life, if so this is mine.  It's found in Micah 6:8, “He has told you O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” 

Now with that information, one might think Bob is doing great, what a life verse, just to do what God requires of you.  It has not been, and I hope you understand my battle for I also believe it the struggle of all who choose to walk by faith and not feelings.  My largest fight is with me, with pride, and arrogance, wanting you to have a much higher opinion of me than both God and I know to be true.  Next comes the influence of the culture, and the deception of the devil, but it is pride that will keep you from being and meeting the requirements of Micah 6:8.

So how does all I stated above tie into Jesus’ questions: “Who are my mother and my brothers?”  It should be apparent that those who love Jesus and are a follower of Christ must follow Him.  It is becoming clear that I’m a mess, but I’m Jesus’ mess, and in spite of my weak faith He loves me.  It is also becoming clear that the desire of my heart is to do His will, and that makes His answer to the question above include me into His family.   “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice