A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of March 13-17, 2023
MONDAY
Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.”
But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8:19-21
Jesus has just defined the rules for admittance into his family. He actually makes the definition to his own natural family.
How could He be so abrupt? Couldn’t He just have gone out to see what His mom and brothers wanted? You know, there is a time and season for everything on earth.
Remember another encounter Jesus had with his mother? It was at the marriage at Cana of Galilee. Remember Jesus told His mother that His hour had not yet come?
Well, it seems that these family ties can sometimes come into conflict with a man just trying to do His ministry. I know this scenario is familiar to most preachers, but what is Jesus really saying here?
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Romans 8:11 ~ If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
March 13: Exodus 24, John 3, Job 42, 2 Corinthians 12
March 14: Exodus 25, John 4, Proverbs 1, 2 Corinthians 13
March 15: Exodus 26, John 5, Proverbs 2, Galatians 1
March 16: Exodus 27, John 6, Proverbs 3,Galatians 2
March 17: Exodus 28, John 7, Proverbs 4, Galatians 3
March 18: Exodus 29, John 8, Proverbs 5, Galatians 4
March 19: Exodus 30, John 9, Proverbs 6, Galatians 5
TUESDAY
Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.”
But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8:19-21
While Jesus did everything in love, He was also mindful of the needs of the whole of humanity. While others looked on, He took the opportunity to explain to His family and everyone present just what constitutes a family. He describes this family based on behavior and not just blood.
He says that those who are His kin are those that hear and do the word. Jesus is stepping into eternity. He is setting the stage for His role as Savior and provider for the salvation of all humanity. Imagine the impact that His words must have had on those who were not His natural family.
Some wondered if they qualified, but all knew that all humanity was now put on a level playing field. Though He may have temporarily disappointed a few people, He brought great joy to many, many more.
WEDNESDAY
Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.”
But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8:19-21
Jesus is not excluding His natural family, but He is letting them know that they, too, must enter in at the straight gate. In this one move, He is establishing that God is no respecter of persons. Jesus has been given to the whole world. There is a time to deal with natural family and a time to deal with spiritual family.
When we go to church, that is the time to interact with our spiritual families. When we attend special gatherings of believers it is a time for getting to know our spiritual family. When one member of the spiritual family has a need or a celebration, it is a time to interact with our spiritual family.
Many of us would not be where we are today had it not been for the faithfulness of our spiritual family. It is a good thing that Jesus makes this distinction.
THURSDAY
Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.”
But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8:19-21
Sometimes we are looking for the spiritual family to take on the role of the natural family, and vice versa. If we are the first in the family to be saved, we may desire that the natural family be present in the services with us. This is a good thing, but may not be a “now” thing in some instances. We may spend our time at church uncomfortable and distracted because it seems we are the only one who does not have the natural family in too. If we continue to focus this way, we miss this opportunity to interact with our spiritual family and get to know our place in this family.
It is not the time for the natural family to become the spiritual, so we need to get to know our spiritual family during this time. This is what Jesus was explaining to the onlookers as well as His natural family. There is a time of obedience to God’s word, and those who are obeying God will be found in the same company.
The more we obey, the more we walk in harmony with our spiritual family.
FRIDAY
Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.”
But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8:19-21
This family of God is a world-wide family. It spans ages, continents, races, languages and denominations. Those who hear and obey can be found in all walks of life. Some are professional, non-professional, from all walks of life and life interest.
God is no respecter of persons. You may be anywhere in the world and run into a brother or sister in the Lord. Never be afraid to speak with someone who is different from you in appearance. God created diversity, but all in His image. Those who hear and obey will be with you eternally, so these relationships are worth cultivating and embracing.
Have you looked at the person sitting next to you in church recently? If they fit the family definition that Jesus gave, they are very valuable in you life. Embrace that person with new appreciation.