46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:46-50 KJV)
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
Observe how Christ was interrupted in his preaching by his mother and brothers, who stood outside wanting to speak with him (Mt 12:40; Mt 12:47). Their request was passed to him through the crowd. It is unnecessary to ask which of his brothers were with his mother (perhaps those who did not believe in him, John 7:5) or what their reason was; perhaps they wanted to stop him from exhausting himself or to caution him against offending the Pharisees, as if they could teach him wisdom.
While Jesus was still talking to the people, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak with him when they should have been inside, eager to hear him. Since they had the advantage of daily conversation with him in private, they were less inclined to attend his public preaching. Those closest to the means of knowledge and grace are often the most negligent. Familiarity can lead to indifference. We tend to put off what we assume we can do any day, forgetting that only the present moment is certain. There is too much truth in the saying, “The nearer the church, the further from God.”
Mary seeking to speak to her son Jesus was a little bit of history repeating itself. When she once sought him as a child of twelve years old in the temple, he said, “Didn’t you know that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). If she had remembered this saying, she would not have interrupted him when he was about his Father’s work.
Christ responded to this interruption by refusing to be distracted from his work (Matthew 12:48-50). He asked, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Not that natural affection should be disregarded or that we should neglect family under the pretense of religion. But when duty to family conflicts with duty to God, God must come first. Christ’s zeal for his Father’s work was so strong that it even took precedence over his closest relationships. If our loved ones put God first before pleasing us, we should not take offense but understand their higher commitment.
He used this moment to highlight the importance of spiritual relationships over natural ones. His disciples, who followed him and accepted his teachings, were dearer to him than his own flesh and blood. Since they had left everything for his sake, he honored them above his earthly family. Christ’s disciples are those who do the will of his Father—not just hearing, knowing, or speaking about it, but living it. Doing God’s will prepares and proves true discipleship (John 7:17; Matthew 7:21).
All obedient believers are spiritually related to Christ. They bear his name, reflect his nature, and belong to his family. He loves them, welcomes them, provides for them, and will one day bring them to be with him forever. He is never ashamed of his humble followers but will acknowledge them before all—before men, before angels, and before his Father.