Christ Speaks of His True ‘Relations’ Mark 3:31-35

Text: “And He looked round about on them which sat about Him, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.”

Mark 3:34-35.

Good morning, true relation of Christ Jesus!  Our Bible passage this morning from Mark’s Gospel account reveals a profound insight into exactly who Jesus deemed would be His true close relations.

If we are Bible-believing, Spiritually regenerate Christians; if we are faithfully seeking to obey God’s command to “Study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” – then you and I are deemed to be close relations of the Living Lord Jesus Christ Himself!  Wow!  What a great honour!

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  (Romans 8:16-18)

As we learn from our Bible studies in Mark’s Gospel, Christ Jesus was contending vehemently with the ever-present scribes and Pharisees, and easily refuting their malicious allegations that He was, in fact, casting out demons, because He was in some way in league with, “…Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth He out devils…” (Mark 3:22)

While the Lord Jesus was thus engaged, surrounded by a multitude, so much that His disciples and Himself, “…could not so much as eat bread.” (V.20) – along came His “…friends…”, seeking to “…lay hold on Him: for they said, He is beside Himself.” (V.21) 

His sworn enemies levelled malicious allegations at Him while He did good by healing and casting out demons from the gathered multitude – and His human family, and “…friends…” accused Him of being off His head, “…beside Himself…”!  What a formidable, two-pronged, attack on our Holy Lord and Saviour!

He quickly vanquished His, now usual, enemies with the Divine wisdom and logic of His argument, “How can Satan cast out Satan? …No man can enter into a strong man’s house (Satan’s prison-house of souls), and spoil his goods (deliver the imprisoned souls), except He will first bind the strong man; and then He will spoil his house.”  (Mark 4:23-27)

But no sooner had the Lord Jesus subdued His traditional enemies – scribes and Pharisees – when those of His human family and family friends began to pressure Him into ceasing His earthly ministry!

“There came then His brethren and His mother, and, standing without, sent unto Him, calling Him.” (V.31)

The gathered crowd, of course, said unto Him, “Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren without seek for Thee.” (V.32)

At this point in the proceedings the Lord Jesus made a most profound Divine revelation.  He first asked the question, so as no one would be in any doubt as to what He was actually declaring, “Who is my mother, or My brethren?”  Then, looking around about on them which sat about listening intently to Him, answered His own rhetorical question: “Behold My mother and My brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.”  (Vs.34-35)

True family relations of the Lord Jesus Christ, are those, redeemed by Him, that seek, diligently, to obediently do the will of Almighty God, as revealed in His written and fully inspired Word.  Christ came down to do the will of our Father in Heaven at all times.

“For I came down from Heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.  And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.  And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  (John 6:38-40)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“It is interesting to remark the quiet, firm perseverance of our Lord, in the face of all discouragements. None of these things moved Him. The slanderous suggestions of enemies, and the well-meant remonstrances of ignorant friends, were alike powerless to turn Him from His course. He had set His face as a flint towards the cross and the crown. He knew the work He had come into the world to do. He had a baptism to be baptized, and was straitened till it was accomplished. (Luke 12:50)

“So, let it be with all true servants of Christ. Let nothing turn them for a moment out of the narrow way, or make them stop and look back. Let them not heed the ill-natured remarks of enemies. Let them not give way to the well-intentioned but mistaken entreaties of unconverted relations and friends. Let them reply in the words of Nehemiah, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” (Nehemiah 6:3) Let them say, “I have taken up the cross, and I will not cast it away.”

“We learn from these verses one mighty lesson. We learn, who they are that are reckoned the relations of Jesus Christ. They are they who are His disciples, and “do the will of God.” Of such the great Head of the Church says, “the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 1816-1900)

Thought: Jesus said: “My mother and My brethren are these which hear the Word of God and do it.”  (Luke 8:21) God’s true family relations all seek to do God’s will!