Obedience Is Thicker Than Blood

Jesus redefines familial relations.

Yesterday was to be the final whole gospel reading (John). I myself fell off from completing all four gospels in four days and will have to finish today. I don’t feel guilty though - vacations sometimes take turns that call for more attention to a child or rest or other things in the moment. Just say “No!” to legalism and guilt. :-)

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Part of what happens when we immerse ourselves into Jesus’ teaching regularly is that passages such as this one - and in particularly its ending - hit in such a way that we realize all the more that Jesus really wasn’t messing around. When we go to church regularly (even every Sunday), and only hear the story of Jesus every so often, we get the highlights. A story about a father who really loves his prodigal son. A good Samaritan who has deep compassion. The crucifixion. The resurrection.

All integral parts of Jesus’ story. And they are inspiring, indeed. But they can easily be involuntarily relegated to things that kind of change my life.

But his call is much deeper than personal behavior modification. His message is not just life-changing, but totally and drastically and radically shifting.

Just consider the final part of today’s reading: Whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother.

This isn’t hyperbole. Jesus is shifting the narrative. Peterson always paraphrases it: “Obedience is thicker than blood.” Man…that would really wrangle most of our church structures and practices if we took it as seriously as Jesus means it.

Jesus is not offering a life of moderate improvement. He’s announcing a kingdom that reshapes our relationships, reorients our desires, and redefines what it means to belong. He’s not looking for spectators or admirers, but siblings—people willing to do the will of the Father, whatever that may demand.

The invitation is still open. But it's not for the half-hearted.

Matthew 12:38-50

At that time some of the legal experts and the Pharisees requested of Jesus, “Teacher, we would like to see a sign from you.”

But he replied, “An evil and unfaithful generation searches for a sign, but it won’t receive any sign except Jonah’s sign. Just as Jonah was in the whale’s belly for three days and three nights, so the Human One will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. The citizens of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it as guilty, because they changed their hearts and lives in response to Jonah’s preaching. And look, someone greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will be raised up by God at the judgment with this generation and condemn it because she came from a distant land to hear Solomon’s wisdom. And look, someone greater than Solomon is here.

“When an unclean spirit leaves a person, it wanders through dry places looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find any. Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the place vacant, cleaned up, and decorated. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and make their home there. That person is worse off at the end than at the beginning. This is the way it will be also for this evil generation.”

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers stood outside trying to speak with him. Someone said to him, “Look, your mother and brothers are outside wanting to speak with you.”

Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” He stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother.”

Psalm 40:6-8

You don’t relish sacrifices or offerings; you don’t require entirely burned offerings or compensation offerings—but you have given me ears! So I said, “Here I come! I’m inscribed in the written scroll. I want to do your will, my God. Your Instruction is deep within me.”

Prayer

God,

I don’t know, man. Sometimes I’m sure I’m way off. I know you’re not telling me, in this passage, to forsake my family - my wife, my kids, my parents, etc. But it would be mighty difficult for me in a particular situation that calls for it.

Is it pride? Maybe that’s it. I’ve long let go of the notion that you do or say things just to test us. (Actually, I kind of detest that thinking now...I don’t think you’re arbitrary.) But I must say I’m still unsure why you call for something to be done in a particular way. Even so, I know you know I’m quite open to change of thought.

But the practice of it all. I need your help. Your grace. Your inspiration beyond thinking about it all and typing out daily devotionals and prayers. So help me, God.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.