RBWords

     Jesus was born in history in a particular place to a particular family.  This describes all of us humans!  He was also born to a particular culture, the Middle Eastern Palestinian-Jewish culture of the first century A.D..  This fact would determine the nature of his family relationships.  Everyone belonged to a tribe, a clan and a family.  One's identity depended on knowing this, but one's life could also hinge on it because the extended family was the major form of social and material support, unlike our individualistic Western ways today.  So, when Jesus' family comes looking for him (the Gospel of Mark says it was to "seize him for they thought he was out of his mind..."), the presumption would be that he would drop everything and give his attention to them.  Jesus' response is that a relationship to him is not determined by culture or blood but by faith!  This is one more example in the Gospel of Luke of God turning things upside down! 

 

     Our relationship to Jesus is determined by faith in him but it is a faith that is expressed in action.  To say, "I believe!" and do nothing else is insufficient.  Consider those who come to Jesus and ask what they must do and consider his response:  the parable of the Good Samaritan and the rich young man who is told to get rid of his possessions.  Consider the 25th chapter of Matthew:  "When I was hungry, you gave me to eat...."  Hearing the word of Jesus and acting on it may seem a simple formula, but we know from our own lives that it is a daily and difficult challenge.  The motivation should come from considering the ultimate reward!   AMEN