The Pilgrim Path---Mark's Gospel 3:31--35 (5--5--20)

And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you." And he answered them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and my sister and mother."

---The Family of the Lord Jesus: His mother and brothers come seeking Him. As you read the Gospels, you realize that most of his family members are late to the scene in understanding His Messianic role. Jesus continues in His labors anyway. You must admire the perseverance demonstrated. Neither the calls of being in "league" with the devil---in the previous passage---or the pull of family in this instance, would keep Him from the duty required. He "set" His face like a flint. Now---you should and must love your family. But I appreciate these comments by Dr. Hans F. Bayer: "Jesus does question absolute subservience to the natural family (see Mark 7:10-13 with 10:29-31). Focus on the will of God (3:35), as ascertained by means of prayer, humility, and in consultation with other believers, is central to defining one's relationship with his or her natural family. Having been delivered by Christ in a work of sheer grace, our fundamental loyalty is to him."

---The Family of the Lord Jesus is much "larger" than anyone had thought: "All who do God's will---are related to Me!" Wow---what a message! "The same is my brother, and sister, and mother." From Bishop J. C. Ryle: "Let all true Christians drink comfort out of these words. Let them know that there is One at least, who knows them, loves them, cares for them, and reckons them as His own family. What though they be poor in this world? They have no cause to be ashamed, when they remember that they are the brethren and sisters of the Son of God..."

---The Family Resemblance---we trust is becoming "more" real over time. Some thoughts from a friend of Robert Murray M'cheyne, The. Rev. Horatius Bonar:

---it is an everlasting relationship that delivers us from what is earthly--empty and vain

---it connects us to salvation and eternal life

---it connects us with honor and glory

---Are our hearts doing the Father's will?

---Are our intellects doing the Father's will?

---Are our purposes doing the Father's will?

---Is our life doing the Father's will?

---Is our family doing the Father's will?

---Is our business doing the Father's will?

---Thus let us test our relationship to Christ The Savior

---The Family continues to "grow" everyday---until The Living Christ returns. Please pray for our missionaries. Many have had to adjust their work due to COVID-19. The labor for "nationals" on many fields has increased with missionaries leaving. Stress is real---with some language work halted for a time. Some fields have far fewer doctors to serve people in need. Ask mercy and strength for the work.

A charge to keep I have,

A God to glorify,

A never-dying soul to save,

And fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,

My calling to fulfill;

O may it all my powers engage

To do my Master's will!

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Our LORD, Pastor Jason