"Who Is My Mother And Who Are My Brothers?"

Read Matthew 12:43-50

Jesus was on a mission.  He was preaching and teaching that the Kingdom of God had come near, and there was a sense of urgency in his voice.  He wanted those that heard him to understand that faith was required.

John the Baptist had come preaching "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!"  Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God had come, but that not all would be pleased hear such good news.  Still Jesus was faithful and asked that those that followed also be faithful.  Tell others what you have heard... even if things get worse rather than better.

In Matthew 12, Jesus family asks to speak to him.  We don't know why but perhaps it was to encourage him to tone it down a bit.  All this Kingdom talk was making people nervous.  Asking that people be faithful always makes people a little nervous.  Especially in times of trouble.

Yet Jesus remains faithful to the mission.  "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?"  It is those that understand that the Kingdom of God calls us to faith.  Maybe it is not an insult to Jesus' mother and his brothers, but instead an affirmation for those that answer the call to faith?  

Those that hear Jesus and follow in faith are all called brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God.  They are brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.  That's pretty great!