True Family (by Cathe Laurie)

“Jesus asked, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ Then he pointed to his disciples and said, ‘Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!’” (Matthew 12:48-50 NLT).

One of the most touching and heartbreaking moments in the gospel of John recounts Jesus on the cross, nearing his dying breath, offering care and stability to his distraught mother Mary.

“When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, ‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And he said to this disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from then on this disciple took her into his home” (John 19:26-27 NLT).

Jesus was always caring and loving to his mother. She carried Him in her womb for nine months and watched over Him with loving care. With her heart breaking, she stood bravely at the cross and watched her Son die. And in His last moments, He made sure she’d be taken care of for the rest of her life.

And yet, during the three years of His public ministry, nowhere do we see Jesus showing preference for His own mother and family.

“As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. Someone told Jesus, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.’ Jesus asked, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ Then he pointed to his disciples and said, ‘Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!’” (Matthew 12:46-50 NLT).

Not for a moment do the statements, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” suggest that Jesus was callous toward the feelings of his family or His mother. But this Mother’s Day, some of us mothers with adult children can feel Mary’s pain, the separation she must have felt. Just as our children have flown the nest and moved out of our daily care and contact, Mary was now watching from a distance, looking onto Jesus’ life from the outside. Though He cared for her, there wasn’t anything more that He needed from her.

As mothers, there’s an ache and discomfort we experience when our kids no longer need us, when they’re off in their own lives and schedules, completely apart from us.

But what Jesus offers in His teaching is something far greater, and the hope we all must cling to. He says, “Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” (Matthew 12:50 NLT).

We are a part of the family of God. And what better family to have! In the family of God, we will find spiritual mothers, brothers, sisters, and children to care for and be cared by. No one need ever feel they are standing alone, outside the door of His watchful concern. We have a new family near and far and all over the world!

So, whether you’re a mother feeling the pain of separation from your children or you’re a child who has been longing for the love of a mother, sister, or brother, you are a part of God’s family, His church. And this Mother’s Day, let us celebrate that and share His love together!

Get these articles in your inbox!

—

Cathe Laurie is the founder and director of the Virtue women’s ministry. She is also a featured speaker on The Virtue Podcast, at Harvest events, and the author of As I See It. You can find her weekly articles here on harvest.org.