My mother and my brothers are those who hear ... and do ...

---

Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

---

I wonder what it must have been like for Mary, the mother of Christ, and his brothers to come looking for Jesus and encountering such crowds. Not much is mentioned of the Lord's earthly family in the gospels. He certainly had younger brothers that had to wonder what had happened to their eldest brother. Seeing the crowds and hearing of his fame must have caused them to wonder and ask questions. Maybe this visit was for that very purpose?

I love the way Christ gives this great follow-up to the parable of a man who built his house upon a rock and takes the metaphor a step further. He tells us that obeying the word of God is not just a matter of having a house that stands but it is an issue of familial relationship as well. Many want to feel like they are a part of God's family but so few, relatively speaking, have a zeal for the word of God. Yet the ones who do Jesus claims as a part of his spiritual family.

I desire to do your will today Lord. Open my eyes and help me to obey your word today.

---