◄ What Does Matthew 12:48 Mean? ►

But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?"

Matthew 12:48(NASB)

Verse of the Day

Although Christ was the eternal God Who created heaven and earth, He had to be born into the human race so that He could fully identify with those He came to save.

To fulfil Bible prophecy, Jesus was born into a Jewish family in the kingly line of David. His mother was Mary, His step-father was Joseph, and He had a number of younger siblings. When the time was right, Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth, started to present Himself to Israel as their Messiah and King.

A prophet is not honoured in his own town and despite the supernatural power He demonstrated over nature, death, sickness, and the demonic forces, Jesus was certainly not shown respect in His home town nor by his siblings, for we read: "They did not believe on Him."

His half-brothers and sisters did not believe the Lord's claims to be the Messiah, and there are many examples throughout the Gospels where He is ridiculed and made fun of by His brethren, despite the many miracles they witnessed. Indeed, the Gospels make it clear that His half-brothers did not believe in Him until after His Resurrection.

The challenges Jesus received to His Messianic claims, the accusations of blasphemy from the leaders of the Jews, the controversies that stemmed from His Sabbath-day healings, and His authoritative claim to David's throne, all combined to cause His family to come and speak with Him: "Someone said to Him, 'Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.'"

We are not told the reason for their visit on this occasion, but Mark gives us a very convincing clue in a parallel passage, where we read: "When those who belonged to Him (His brethren) heard what Jesus was saying, they came to take Him by force, for they kept saying, 'He is out of His mind, He is beside Himself, He is deranged!'"

And so we read that Jesus answered the one who was telling Him that His mother and brothers were there, by saying, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" and then He answered His own, rhetorical question, "Whoever does the will of My Father Who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."

Whatever the reason for the visit of His mother and brothers, Jesus wanted to make it clear that family relationships, genealogical ties, human heritage, privileged parentage, or godly ancestry, provides no birthright for salvation. Faith in Christ is the one and only criteria for redemption. Believing on the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ must be a personal decision, for there are no special favours given to anyone and nothing that can alter or influence God's criteria for salvation.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that the clear message of salvation is that it is only by grace through faith in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You that there are no hoops that I have to jump through to gain Your acceptance, other than believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, Whom You have sent to be the propitiation for my sins. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.