On Families

[Daniel]

I, like probably many here, have a checkered past in regards to my "family of origin"... The telling of it all would require a separate blog!

Therefore, I was made to feel a little better when I read a letter from our pastor on the front end of a daily devotional guide:

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"Max Lucado points out that 'sometimes you and your kin, can't!' Know what I mean? It may suprise you to know that Jesus had a difficult family. Mark wrote, '[Jesus] is just the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters are here with us' (Mark 6:3).

We would like to read that when pressure came upon Jesus that His family stepped in and stood to support Him, but this was simply not the case. When Jesus was in trouble, his brothers were invisibile. They weren't always invisible however. There was a time when they spoke because they were ashamed of him. 'His family ... went to get him because they thought he was out of his mind' (Mark 3:21).

It's worth noting that Jesus didn't try to control His family's behavior, nor did he let their behavior control His. If Jesus Himself couldn't [or rather, would not] force His family to share his convictions, what makes you think you can force yours? As long as you think you can control people's behavior toward you, you are held in bondage bu their opinions.

We don't know if Joseph affirmed his son Jesus in His ministry -but we know God did: 'This is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with Him' (Matthew 3:17).

I can't assure you that your family will ever give you the blessing you seek, but I know God will. Let God give you what your family doesn't. If your earthly father doesn't affirm you, then let your heavenly Father take his place.

Having your family's approval is desireable, but not necessary for happiness and not always possible. Jesus did not let the difficult dynamic of his family overshadow his call from God. And because he didn't, this chapter has a happy ending.

What happened to Jesus' family?

Acts states, 'Then [the disciples] went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.... They all continued praying together with some women, inlcuding Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus' brothers' (Acts 1:12,14).

So don't lose heart. God still changes families."