Read Matthew 12
Highlights:
A lot of questions! It is important to know the answers. What does Jesus say (Matt. 12:1-14)? The true family of Jesus (12:46-50).
While Jesus was teaching to a crowd within a home, He was interrupted (Matt. 12:46). He was told that His mother and His brothers were standing outside desiring to speak to Him. But He answered and said . . . Who is My mother? and who are My brethren? And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother (12:48-50). The Apostle Mark relates that on one occasion Jesus and His disciples could not so much as eat bread (eat their meal because of the crowds) (Mark 3:20). His friends (literally, those close to Him, which would include family) were concerned and said: He is beside Himself (3:21). Neither mealtime nor the closest human relationship — even mother, family, or friends — could come between Him and His Heavenly Father's will.
Jesus made use of this interruption by giving a new and loving view of His disciples as a happy family united to Himself, to each other, and to our Father who is in heaven. This eternal family relationship includes all who receive Him as Savior and desire to do His will. The precious words brother, and sister, and mother (Matt. 12:50) become significant terms for our relationship with other Christians. The effect of His words was to make it clear that earthly ties are meaningful only when in alliance with the family ties of heaven.
This is the revelation of the family of God made by Jesus as He stretched out His hand toward His disciples, and then to all the world, by the word whosoever (12:50), and have put on the new man (the new nature received at the new birth — John 3:3,5; II Cor. 5:17) (Col. 3:10). As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become . . . born . . . of God (John 1:12-13). What a privilege it is to be in the family of God, doing the Father's will and to be accepted by every believer as a brother or sister.
Jesus promised: Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the Gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life (Mark 10:29-30).
Thought for Today:
I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things (Phil. 3:8).
Cross References:
For Matt. 12:7: See Hos. 6:6. Matt. 12:18-21: See Is. 42:1-4. Matt. 12:40: See Jon. 1:17.
Word Studies:
12:1 corn grain fields; 12:5 profane violate or break the law; 12:29 spoil his goods take away his possessions; 12:44 garnished ready for use.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Iva Ann McElroy (Dr. John A. Hash's mother) • Government Officials: Sen. Benjamin Cardin (MD) and Rep. At-Large Dennis Rehberg (MT) • Country: Barbados (259,000) on the island farthest east in the West Indies • Major language: English • Religious freedom • 79% Protestant; 8% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Bless the Lord for your redemption (Ps. 103:4).
Memory Verse for the Week:
