The Family of the Iesous

Luke 8:19-21


Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.  And it was told him by certain which said, "Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee."  And he answered and said unto them, "my mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it."

The public ministry of the Iesous was characterised by massive numbers of persons who gathered to hear his intrinsic word address their fragmented milieu.  On this occasion his mother and brothers had come to see him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. Anonymous voices told him that his family was there to see him.The response of the Iesous to the anonymous voices was used to speak about the importance of family in a transcendent manner.

In no way does he arrogate the biological family to a cursory marginalism.  On the contrary, the Iesous illustrates the unitary reality of the physical and spiritual.  The familial sphere is inclusive of those who 'hear' (akouontes) to hear with the ear of the mind in order to 'obey' and 'do' (poiountes), the producing and bringing forth something which when produced, has an independent existence of its own..

Therefore, relational intimacy with Iesous is not merely a desire to see him with outward perception.  It is inward perception that is primary,  Family likeness is not that our DNA has united us in a genetic bond.  Family likeness is determined by one's heart (kardia) - to hear the Word of Theos and do it.

Have you experienced rejection by a family member or loved one?  Do you feel abandoned by those you believe should love you?  Do not toss yourself into the abyss of self-rejection.  Please hear that God loves you and the Iesous is His proof that He has not abandoned you.  Today - at this very moment choose to believe God loves you.

For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich, please visit his web site.