Today’s reading

Numbers 3-4; Mark 3:22-35

Selected Verses

These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests. But Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father. Numbers 3:3-4

And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:33-35

Reflections

Jesus’ human family members took Him to be insane. “And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, ‘He is out of his mind,’” Mark 3:21. They tried to intervene and stop His teaching and ministry. Perhaps they were afraid of embarrassment. Maybe they meant well. But they did not believe in Him (John 7:5).

In the case of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, their status as sons of the high priest did not exempt them from obedience to the law. They seem to have presumed that they could veer from the commands of the law concerning offerings to God. It cost them their lives.

Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” This is good news for us. It means that although we never physically saw Jesus nor are we related to Him through natural descent, we are related to Him based on a common relationship to God, the Father. He is the first born of many brothers (Romans 8:29).

Think about it

Spiritual bonds overshadow natural, family relationships. Therefore, obedience to God is more important than blood ties.

Perhaps your human family has problems, conflicts, grudges, and even bitterness. But if you have been adopted into the Father’s family by the new birth, you are tied eternally to Jesus Christ and to all who are His. Rejoice! And seek to bear the family resemblance today.

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission