As we gather together before our Lord in worship this coming Sunday, we will consider another unusual question that Jesus asked.  Our sermon text will be Matthew 12:46-50.  This question has to do with family. And, more precisely, those who are in the family of Jesus.

In verse 48 Jesus asked: “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”

Well, we all know the answer to at least one part of that question.  The Lord’s “mother” was, of course, Mary.  Some among us may also know the names of the brothers of Jesus, for we find them listed in Mark 6:3 as “James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon.”  We know that “James” was the author of the Epistle of James, and “Judas” (or Jude) was the author of the Epistle of Jude.

But if we examine the context of this strange question, we learn that it is not Mary or His physical brothers that Jesus is speaking of here.  Rather, He is referencing another kind of family composed of mothers and brothers.

I know that we will be blessed, informed, and encouraged as we examine this unusual question raised by our Lord!