Scripture: 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." 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." Matthew 12:46-50
Observation: There has always been an implication around these verses that Jesus' family is there to speak some kind of logic to him. They are either there to warn him of his actions, or correct him about his message, or even to persuade him to rethink his direct and clear claiming of Messiah-ship. This makes sense in the context that they are outside of the believes, and Jesus calls that out ... his true family are those who believe, and not those who have the titles by birth alone.
Yet, we know Jesus' family does believe in him. Mary in particular has always believed since his conception, and pushes him into demonstrating his calling early during a wedding feast. James becomes the leader of the church in Jerusalem, and Jude authors a book of the New Testament. It is almost impossible, in that context, to think the family was attempting to tell him to 'stand down' or even to go as far as to consider him delusional. About the only logical assumption may be that they wished to warn him about the danger and impacts of his message, forgetting that - as the Messiah - he certainly was aware of all that.
His family was familiar with Jesus, and thus believed they were the best ones to speak 'logically' to him about his ministry. Jesus was clear, however, that there was no room for any sort of muted message. God's Messiah was delivering his word, and those who would listen would now constitute the family of God.
Application: As believers, we have an active relationship with Jesus Christ, and with God. However ... they are still our Lord, our master, our God. They are still in total authority over our lives. Relationship does not mean over-familiarity, and it must retain respect of position. God is God, and I am not. That applies to the universe, and it applies to my personal daily life. God gets to command my steps, and I don't get to rationalize, negotiate, or logically review that direction. At least, I shouldn't.
If I see myself debating with God's direction, I should consider Jesus' family. They wanted to discuss Jesus' approach, and were dismissed ... even knocked down a peg or two publicly. They recovered of course, once they had reset their understanding. I am sure I will need to reset my understanding from time to time, but I should remember this example.
Prayer: Lord, while you are my daddy, you are also my master. While I am your loved child, I am also your servant at your command. I will follow and obey, as much as I walk with and am guided by, you. May I be both protected and obedient. Amen.
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