Sermon # 2 - The Family Of God Series

Jesus’ reply as recorded in Matthew 12:48, But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" (ESV)

We are meditating this year on some of the important questions that Jesus asked. If you are wondering as to why Jesus asked so many questions, they were basically to help us understand some important truths.

In the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit, the Lord was well aware of what they had done. Therefore, when God came and asked Adam, ‘Where are you?’ it was a question that would make Adam realize the situation that his disobedience had put him in. God had to make Adam and Eve recognize the fact that they had lost the intimate relationship, authority and rights that were theirs, because of their disobedience.

Often when we deliberately choose to disobey the commands of God, He does not intervene to stop us, for He has bestowed on us the will to choose between good and evil. That is what makes man different from all other animals. Sadly, however oftentimes, man decides to do those things that God has prohibited for him for his own good, and thereby heaps countless troubles on himself.

Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?

The question that we are meditating on in this message is the one Jesus asked as recorded in Matthew 12: 48, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’

The reason that Jesus asked this question is recorded in Matthew 12:47, Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside. They want to talk to you." (GW)

Jesus was preaching and huge crowds were eagerly listening to his teachings. It was at this time that Jesus’ mother and brothers were standing outside, and probably sent word to Jesus that they would like to speak with Him. Jesus did not go out immediately, or beckon them to come in, but used this as an opportunity to disclose to everyone who He really was.

Like the crowds who eagerly hung on to Jesus’ words, it is vital that all of us must ardently desire to hear the word of God, for only then there will be definite changes in our lives. One of the tools that Satan uses, is to distract people so that they are not able to receive and understand the word of God as they should, for he knows that God’s word can bring deliverance in our lives.

Jesus revealed to them who He was

Earlier in the very same chapter, Jesus revealed to the people one important aspect of who He really was.

We read in Matthew 12:42, The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, something greater than Solomon is here. (TLV)

King Solomon was the epitome of wisdom. The wisdom that Solomon received was from God Himself, as Solomon truly desired it when God offered to bless him in any way he wished for. He did not ask for wealth or riches, but sought God for wisdom to discern between right and wrong to rule the people of Israel with wisdom. The Wisdom of Solomon was so acclaimed all over the world that the Queen of the South, actually travelled a really long distance (probably 2400 kms) to visit King Solomon, and experience it firsthand. This must have been an arduous journey in those days, when there was not much convenient means of transport. Jesus revealed to the people gathered there that He was far greater than Solomon.

When Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, no one was allowed to even go near the edge of that mountain, for if they did, they were warned of being punished with death. The reason for this was that God is an almighty, holy, powerful and awesome God, full of glory, and no sinful man could approach him. However, Jesus who was God in human form, came down to the earth to redeem sinful mankind, and no wonder then that His wisdom far superseded the wisdom of Solomon, for He is the source of wisdom that even Solomon received.

The Queen of the South, Jesus said would stand in judgement against this generation, for she travelled really far to listen and experience the wisdom of Solomon, but grievously, Jesus who was far greater than Solomon was here on earth, sharing the message of the Kingdom of God, and so many were unwilling to give heed to his words.

We too must have such a passion to hear the word of God, and be in fellowship with His people in church. Notice how we generally spend time on those things that really matter to us the most. For some it could be their family or relatives while to others their jobs or business, are top priorities. Instead, if we give God the preeminence in our lives, we will find that all other areas of our lives will fall into place, and be blessed by God. We too are in danger of falling under judgement, if we do not take the message of the gospel seriously, or take time to listen and obey all that God is saying to us.