Matthew 12:48-50 NLT – Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”
“Jesus’ searching question (Mt 12:48) and its remarkable answer (Mt 12:49-50) in no way diminish his mother and brothers but simply give the priority to his Father and doing his will…Doing the Father’s will identifies us as his mother and sisters and brothers. The doing of that will turns on obedience to Jesus and his teaching…for it was Jesus who preeminently revealed the will of the Father…also establish[ing] the basic importance of the community now beginning to form around him.” [Carson, D.A., The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, 564-565]
“As in the farewell discourses, Jesus is making preparation for his departure from the world. Implicit in the words, ‘Look, your son!’ and ‘Look, your mother!’ is a command, and the command is simply a particular instance of the ‘new command I give you, that you love each other, just as I loved you, that you too love each other’ [Jn 13:34].” [Michales, J. Ramsey, NICNT: The Gospel of John, 959]
Let’s sing “Dry Bones” by Worship Central (Click here).
Prayer: Lord, may we live out your command to love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
– AW