|
In this lesson let us look at Jesus’ conviction about his family background. The family of Jesus was a very ancient religious, Jewish family. Having come from a line of great men in the OT like Adam, Moses, Abraham, David etc. They were very devoted to God
Luke 2:41
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
Jesus had 4 brothers younger to him.
Mark 6:3
Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.
Galatians 1:18-19
18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days.
19 I saw none of the other apostles--only James, the Lord's brother.
Had sisters also. They used to give him trouble.
Mark 3:20-21
20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.
21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."
Mark 3:31-35
31 Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.
32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you."
33 "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked.
34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!
35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
John 7:1-5
1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life.
2 But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near,
3 Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.
4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world."
5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
They never understood his principles. As the eldest son in a big family, he helped them, with his carpentry work.
1. Distinct vision.
Luke 2:42-50
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.
43 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
49 "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"
50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Even when he was a boy, Jesus counted the cost in his heart about his mission. Gives a very still answer [v.49] to his agonising parents who were searching for a missing boy Jesus for 3 days. He even asked them, “didn’t you know I had to be in my father’s house”?
Years later, when he got into the ministry, Jesus literally gives a very uncompromising, unemotional answer to his emotional mother and brothers, who come to took charge of him, when he heard ‘ he is out of mind’ He understood what it means to serve God, obey God and give priority to god, though his parents could not understand any of His convictions. [V50].
- How do you distinguish between your family and god’s family - the church?
- Who holds the first priority in your life? Why?
- Whom do you think Jesus gave first priority to? God’s family i.e., the church?
- Why do you think it is important to speak up your convictions?
- How do you think Jesus behaviour helped his family to be saved?
- How about your family?
2. Distinct love
Luke 2:51-52
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
After giving them a peace of mind, he went along with them and was obedient to them. Though Jesus mother could not understand any of his new convictions, by looking at his life and righteousness could treasure all these incidents in her heart, which in turn helped to change her life and become a disciple.
- Do you take care of your parents [physical needs?]
- How often do you visit them?
- Is there enough time to get provisions and supplies to home without disturbing your ministry?
- Have you sat down and talked to your parents about your schedule?
- Can they see your repentance through your deeds?
- How often you pray with them/ share scriptures with them?
Conclusion
John 13:34-35
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
- Jesus challenges us to be true disciples by truly loving others / our parents .
- Jesus loved his parents to talk about the truth on to their face.
Do you love your parents enough to speak to them the truth?
Get a response / pray together.
|
