Jesus has a family. His family is not – according to modern mythology – Mary Magdalene and the kids. Nor is it his mother, Mary, and his half-brothers and sisters. In today’s gospel, he identified his true family as those who were sitting around him, listening to him. His true family today is much bigger than back then. As he says in verse 35, ‘Whoever does the will of God, this one is my brother and sister and mother’.
Our Lord, who didn’t let opposition from even his own natural family divert him from the saving work he’d come to do, will be faithful to his promises to you. He says, ‘“I will never leave you nor forsake you”. So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear …”’ (Hebrews 13:5b,6). ‘The Lord is the upholder of my life’ (Psalm 54:4b).
