All the synoptic Gospels have this scene; Jesus – surrounded by a packed crowd – is approached by His mother and siblings. But they cannot get near enough to Him to ask Him anything, so they send word of their arrival. Luke records, “Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”” Mark words it slightly differently, “Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
Matthew’s Gospel tells us that they wanted to do more than see Him or find Him. They purposed to speak to Him; “While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
The contrast between the prior encounter and this one is profound. In the prior encounter, Jesus responded to the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They had come to Him easily – no doubt walking through the crowd without hindrance on account of their authority. In this one, Jesus is about to respond to the news that His own family is working hard to see & speak to Him – yet is still unable to get close. There is contrast also in the purpose of the discussion to be had. The Pharisees and teachers of the law had a frivolous ask. Jesus’ family is likely there with an important message – for no one sends their whole family out to find one member unless it is a critically important and time sensitive matter.
Yet both parties are disappointed. The Pharisees and teachers are disappointed because Jesus is unwilling to perform miracles on demand. Jesus’ family is disappointed because He does not immediately drop what He is doing, and instead chooses to use their efforts as a teaching point; “He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.””
Jesus’ comment teaches us much. It teaches us that God is about His own purposes, and those purposes supersede our petition, however significant or frivolous that petition may be. His comment also teaches us that from God’s vantage point, relationship is founded on obedience, not religious authority, and not physical lineage.
That means we cannot simply rely on our authority in the church for our prayers to be answered. Neither can we rely on all the years we have known Him. Our relationship with Him starts and ends with obedience to God’s will. As John will later write, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”
While God’s Spirit will never leave believers in Christ, His blessings may. That hinges on our obedience.
Charles F. Stanley
APPLICATION: Intentionality
When was the last time you asked the Spirit of God do search you thoroughly?