Difficult Relatives - June 22, 2022

Family. You can choose your friends, but you can’t…well, you know.

It may surprise you to know that Jesus had a difficult family. There was a time when they were ashamed of him. “His family…went to get him because they thought he was out of his mind” (Mark 3:21 NCV). Jesus’ siblings thought their brother was a lunatic. They weren’t proud—they were embarrassed! It’s worth noting that Jesus did not try to control his family’s behavior, nor did he let their behavior control his. Look how he defined his family: “My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what God wants” (v. 35).

Jesus recognized that his spiritual family could provide what his physical family did not. If Jesus himself couldn’t force his family to share his convictions, what makes you think you can force yours?