Christ’s Family Gets It

January 12

(Acts 1:14 NIV) "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers."

(Mark 3:20-21 NIV) "Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. {21} When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind.""

(John 7:1-5 NIV) "After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. {2} But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, {3} Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. {4} No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." {5} For even his own brothers did not believe in him."

There are many miracles found in Acts, including Christ’s brothers coming to faith. Mary had pondered her Son’s greatness, but His brothers had been antagonistic. Early in Christ’s ministry they even tracked Him down in order to take Him home with them. They believed He had lost His mind. The delusional and grandiose things He said about Himself seemed ludicrous to them. But as time went by, and they heard of the miracles and the healings, their hearts must have softened a bit. Scripture tells us that the risen Jesus appeared to His mother, Mary, and to His brother, James. It was likely through their testimony that the rest of Christ’s family came to faith. There is a lesson here for us. Do not give up on family members who refuse to believe the Gospel. Continue to be love and light. If the risen Christ lives in us, our family may yet see His glory -- even if it happens after our death. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day