#jesusstuff
Q: Remember when Jesus was told that his family was outside wanting him and he said I am with my family, the disciples. Did he have conflict with his family? Did Mary and Joseph believe he was the son of God? What does this say about honoring your father and mother?
A: Well, we have several questions here. First, I think it says less about what he thought about his earthly family, and more about what he thought about his commitment and connection to us, his followers. I don't believe Jesus' intention was to show any lack of respect to his family, even though they, at that time, seem to be showing him a lack of respect. They appear to be thinking he was losing it and wanted to take him away. Jesus' response was both practical and theologically correct. As the Son of God, those that would truly be his family eternally, would not simply be those that were family members, but, rather, those that believed in him and put their faith in him. In the instance you mention here, those he was with were, indeed, more family to him than his siblings who were casting doubt on him.
Remember, too, that Jesus had earthly parents to obey, but also a heavenly Father to obey...just as we do. In several cases that may have been in conflict (i.e.: teaching at the Temple), but Jesus always managed to respect the authority of his parents (he left when they asked him to), while at the same time obeying his heavenly Father (he taught in the Temple).
We don't know much about Joseph after Jesus' birth. I'm sure that Mary was like any other woman, sometimes full of faith and sometimes full of doubts that HER son could actually be the Messiah. She was human, just like you and I.
I'm sure Jesus had conflict with his siblings. Know any family that doesn't? He was the kid that slept in their bunk bed, shared a room, played hide-and-seek, got splinters in his hands and jumped in mud puddles. How could he be the Son of God? He was just their brother. Talk about sibling rivalry! Sure he was the oldest and maybe mom's favorite...but God? Come on!!!
A: Well, we have several questions here. First, I think it says less about what he thought about his earthly family, and more about what he thought about his commitment and connection to us, his followers. I don't believe Jesus' intention was to show any lack of respect to his family, even though they, at that time, seem to be showing him a lack of respect. They appear to be thinking he was losing it and wanted to take him away. Jesus' response was both practical and theologically correct. As the Son of God, those that would truly be his family eternally, would not simply be those that were family members, but, rather, those that believed in him and put their faith in him. In the instance you mention here, those he was with were, indeed, more family to him than his siblings who were casting doubt on him.
Remember, too, that Jesus had earthly parents to obey, but also a heavenly Father to obey...just as we do. In several cases that may have been in conflict (i.e.: teaching at the Temple), but Jesus always managed to respect the authority of his parents (he left when they asked him to), while at the same time obeying his heavenly Father (he taught in the Temple).
We don't know much about Joseph after Jesus' birth. I'm sure that Mary was like any other woman, sometimes full of faith and sometimes full of doubts that HER son could actually be the Messiah. She was human, just like you and I.
I'm sure Jesus had conflict with his siblings. Know any family that doesn't? He was the kid that slept in their bunk bed, shared a room, played hide-and-seek, got splinters in his hands and jumped in mud puddles. How could he be the Son of God? He was just their brother. Talk about sibling rivalry! Sure he was the oldest and maybe mom's favorite...but God? Come on!!!
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