20 And He came home, and the crowd gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal. The home that Jesus came to was likely that of Simon Peter and Andrew, which they shared with their two families, in Capernaum (Mark 1:29). This small house becomes even more beset by great crowds, just as it had been when Jesus had healed the paralyzed man brought by his four friends in Chapter 2. Jesus and His disciples can’t even get a meal.
21 And when His own people heard about this, they came out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.” — Jesus’ mother and his brothers heard about this—how the crowds were crowding around him so much that he couldn’t even find time to eat. And, they tried to come to Jesus’ rescue. They had heard reports of the rowdy scenes in Capernaum, and decide that it is time to take Jesus in hand for his own sake and for the family’s reputation. The reaction of Mary, and Jesus’ brothers is that “Jesus has lost His Senses”, he’s too caught up in God’s work. A modern saying is might be that someone is “so heavenly minded, they’re no earthly good”. But, we need to stop and consider here—who is correct? Mary is probably coming to Jesus’ rescue out of love and concern for Him. That’s not a bad thing. But, remember that the enemy can use even good feelings, right feelings to serve Him if we’re not careful. Mary is trying to interfere with Jesus’ mission as Messiah. Jesus was always and only doing the will of the Father. This is the most explicit rejection of Jesus’ ministry by his family found anywhere in the gospels; this is not simply a failure to follow Jesus, but a positive and offensive rebuke or correction. Which is why later we’re going to see Jesus say that His Disciples, those following Him, are His real family.
Family of God– We see this family-like relationship in John 15:12-17, where Jesus ties His command to Love One Another with the close relationship that we have with Jesus Himself. Our love for Jesus is best expressed, not just through word, but in action—treating our brothers and sisters in Christ like we love them. Yes, praying for them, but also visiting them when they’re sick or hurting, helping them with what they need. It was astonishing to the disciples that Jesus, their Master would elevate them to the status of friends during His earthly ministry. After His resurrection, however, He calls them brothers, indicating that the barrier of sin has been removed and believers are now part of His eternal family. Hebrews 2:10-12 11 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the originator of their salvation through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brothers, In the midst of the assembly I will sing Your praise.”).
In Mark 3:34–35, Jesus declares that those who follow Him are His brothers: “He looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’”– His statement told everyone that, while earthly relationships are important, spiritual relationships are those that last. From then on, He would be focused upon establishing those eternal relationships with everyone who trusted in Him.
It is important to note that the qualifier for being considered Jesus’ brother or sister is not the mental exercise of “believing,” since many in the room with Jesus in Mark 3 would have considered themselves believers in Him. The qualifier for being a brother or sister of Christ is “doing the will of the Father.” The ultimate will of the Father is that we love, trust, and obey His Son. When we believe in our hearts the gospel of Jesus Christ and surrender our lives to His lordship, God adopts us into His family and considers us “joint heirs” with His Son, . Our heavenly Father wants His children to bear a family resemblance, and He gave us the perfect example in our big Brother, Jesus Christ.
And Jesus is therefore, our Perfect Older Brother– Jesus paid the price and justified us before God through His atoning sacrifice on the Cross, through His precious blood. The only one who could do it, did it, because He loved us. Jesus embodies the role of the perfect older brother: fully human yet sinless, He shares in our humanity while remaining blameless. Hebrews 2:14-17 14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives…17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brothers so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. As our Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus legally brings believers into His lineage, making them co-heirs with Him. Just as Boaz was Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer, paying our debt, and redeeming us back to God. Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer Galatians 4:4-7 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. ; Romans 8:16-17 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. This adoption grants a shared inheritance with Christ, making believers heirs of God’s promises and participants in His eternal kingdom. This means that all believers, regardless of our demographics, socioeconomic status, country, or language stand equally at the foot of the cross, fully accepted as siblings in Christ. Galatians 3:26-28 26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.
And, of course as Brothers and Sisters, we are called to live in community and responsibility to one another. Believers are to serve one another in love, maintain unity, and support each other in faith. Each believer has a mission that God has assigned; useful work for the Kingdom of God. And, we’re called to work together, as One Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:24b-26 But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it. ; Galatians 6:2 6 Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ All of our work for the Lord is important, and it is each of our mission to carry it out. And, while we are doing so, we need to treat each other as Brothers and Sisters 1 Peter 3:8-9 8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing. We are not merely followers of Christ, but active members of His spiritual family, working together for God’s Glory, commissioned to proclaim God’s message of hope and redemption, the Gospel, and to live in harmony with each other. and live in harmony (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. By calling we the Church, His followers brothers, Jesus lets us know that the redemption and justification that He has purchased for us has created a real, eternal, forever family. We are no longer distant servants but siblings welcomed into God’s household, sharing in His inheritance, fellowship, and mission.