Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Matthew Chapter 12 and at verse 46, Jesus’ mother and family circle appear.
His family seemed to have misunderstood him.
We have references to this in John and Mark. They thought Jesus was mad.
There was one occasion when his family thought he was mad, and out of his mind.
Blessed are they who hear The Word of God and keep it. Blessed are they who hear The Word of God and act upon it - positively!
The situation wonderfully changed by the time we come to the Book of Acts. Allow that to encourage and comfort you. Many of his physical family became disciples and followers of Jesus.
Mere family connections and mere pedigree – is never enough.
Jesus was never afraid to correct people when they said wrong things, even when they thought they were complimenting him by saying nice things.
Verse 50 – Jesus gives us a very clear and straightforward and simple answer. Have you noticed how he normally does?
Families do have unmistakeable features. They can walk the same, or look similar, but Jesus points to something different.
Those in my family do my Father’s will. This is the family likeness. There is a relationship deeper than the physical.
The true disciple of Jesus, is the man or woman who having been believed, who having been born again, goes on to serve Jesus Christ actively and positively, and hears what Jesus is saying, and agrees with it, and obeys it, and willingly sides with Jesus, and who also stands up with and alongside those, and in the company of those, who openly and unashamedly stand up for Jesus.
Such disciples are not afraid of being seen with those who stand for Jesus Christ and His Word, and often we can be challenged over that within 24 hours.
We are not all called to be preachers, but each of us is called to be a witness.
Blessed are they who hear The Word of God and obey it. You cannot get anything more clear, or final, than that.
One day everything will be revealed. Consider carefully, or even that which we thought we had will be taken away.
This was one occasion when His family thought he was mad, and out of his mind. Some have wanted to accuse Jesus of being heartless towards his mother and family.
Jesus was the only ‘believer’ in his family at that point, and his family wanted to rescue him and take him away. It is understandable, and God has placed this in the Bible to help us.
For 18 years as he worked away in Nazareth, there was no indication of what was to follow. He had been the perfect son to Mary. Had they met since the wedding at Cana in Galilee? We do not know, but it is an interesting question.
It must have been agreed within the family on this occasion to go and at least ask him to be careful as to what he said and what he was doing. How did they manage to get someone to go inside and draw his attention to the family members outside? Jesus is explaining to us that there are bonds and loyalties which are deeper than blood.
Is Jesus not saying – I have a Father as well as a mother, and He has priority.
Jesus never rejected Mary. He honoured her right to the end. On the Cross He placed her into the caring hands of John, and on the day of Pentecost Jesus baptised her in the Holy Spirit. Mary was with the others and alongside all the other believers and disciples who were patiently waiting for that promise to be fulfilled.
There is such a mixture in this section of Matthew Chapter 12. There are critics and family and disciples. There is such spiritual insight in these verses.
When we become believers, we enter into a new relationship with one another.
We become members of the family of God, and we become committed to the family with all its needs and wants - problems - opportunities - and blessings – and with all its strengths and weaknesses – and with all its friendliness and all its awkward characters. Now, that is some calling and that can be a real challenge at times.
Old family relationships are not to be excluded, and cast aside, but others are now included. We are brothers and sisters.
We may not like all the members in the family, but they are still family, and Jesus says - "Love one another as I have loved you".
Interestingly, Jesus said that after Judas had left the room.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.