Key Scriptures: Ephesians 6 NKJV
1 ¶ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:
3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
Our text for today comes from:
Mark 3 NLT
31 ¶ Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived at the house where he was teaching. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them.
32 There was a crowd around Jesus, and someone said, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you."
33 Jesus replied, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
34 Then he looked at those around him and said, "These are my mother and brothers.
35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother."
Now we know from the stories in the Bible that Jesus was born the son of a very special young woman, Mary. Following prophecy Mary was a young virgin girl living in the town of
The bible accounts that Mary, who was engaged to be married to a good and godly man named Joseph, found favor in the eyes of the Lord and God, by divine appointment, chose her to be the mother of His only begotten Son, Jesus. Before Mary was married, while she was still a virgin, Mary became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God. This was a sign that Isaiah prophesied would point to the miracle birth of the Messiah, God’s Son and Savior of the whole world.
Although Joseph and Mary were subsequently married, the bible firmly declares that Mary remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus in the town of
One glimpse we have of Jesus is at age 12 when He visits
Jesus, like many young men on their own has acted unwisely in His parents eyes and therefore He is corrected by His mother …
Luke 2:48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." (NLT)
Jesus and His mother may have had a disagreement about their concerns but nonetheless, Jesus obeyed His mother and returned to
Luke 2 NLT
51 Then he went down to
52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
After all was said and done, Mary, His mother, treasured all these things in her heart. And, as a result of Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and in favour with God and men.
Basically, God and other people look favorably on children who obey their parents even if there is disagreement … children should obey their parents and God expected nothing less from His Son, Jesus!
On another occasion we find Jesus as a young man most likely in His twenties. One day He is attending a wedding with some of His close friends when the wedding party ran out of wine. Jesus’ mother said to Jesus, Son, “they have no wine.” Let me paraphrase Jesus’ answer in today’s terms:
Oh Mom, come on … what do you want me to do? I don’t think it’s a good idea that I get involved.
It appears from scripture in John 2 that His mother ignored Him and just said to His friends, guys … just do whatever He tells you. And with that you know the rest of the story, Jesus turned the water into wine.
In these accounts we see that Jesus has a habit of unquestionably obeying His mother … so why now, later in His life, during His ministry in the
Mark 3 NLT
31 ¶ Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived at the house where he was teaching. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them.
32 There was a crowd around Jesus, and someone said, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you."
33 Jesus replied, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
34 Then he looked at those around him and said, "These are my mother and brothers.
35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother."
It is evident here that Jesus is in no way attempting to bring disrespect to His mother or to the relationships He has and values among His half brothers and sisters. So, what truth is He teaching us here?
The truth of spiritual relationship.
Jesus is revealing a truth to His listeners in that day and to those who will hear Him now. There are spiritual relationships which are more real and even transcend the earthly and valuable biological ties which we call family.
Every person who has come inside, into the family of God … every person who does the will of the Father has become a member of the family, into a close personal relationship with Jesus.
Jesus is not disavowing or disrespecting or dishonoring His mother, oh no, He has been raised well by her and she, above all other women on the earth is blessed, however, Jesus is making a special statement of inclusion to everyone who would dare come unto Him, believe He is the Son of God and begin to do the will of His Father.
So, where does this leave us this morning? What can we conclude?
1. Jesus respected His mother – you respect yours.
2. Jesus obeyed His parents while He was under their authority even when He had a different perspective – you obey yours while God has you under their authority.
3. Jesus included others in His spiritual family – you need to make room for more spiritual mothers, brothers and sisters – be a part of the family of God.
I close with scripture which reminds me of my mother’s love … allow me this liberty of paraphrase if you will. This is taken with some personal license from 1 Corinthians 13.
A Mother’s love suffers long and is kind; it does not envy; it does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
A Mother’s love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
A Mother’s love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
A Mother’s Love never fails.
Thanks mom!
