Behold Jesus' Mother and Brethren - Matthew 12:49

Matthew the apostle wrote about Jesus, “While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, your mother and your brethren stand without, desiring to speak with you. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?”, and in chapter twelve and verse forty-nine of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus', “said, behold my mother and my brethren” where we read:

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

The verse reads, “And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and he” which refers to “Jesus” “stretched forth” or “extended out” “his hand” which refers to “Jesus' hand” “toward his disciples” or “to Jesus' students, pupils and attendants”. Matthew shared how Jesus “stretched out” His “hand” to His “students and pupils”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!” Matthew continued with the words, “and said” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “Behold” or “lo and see” “my mother” which means “Jesus' mother” “and my brethren” or “and Jesus brothers”. Matthew shared how Jesus called His “disciples” His “mother and brothers”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see the spiritual family Jesus saw in His “disciples”. When they followed Him, they became as Jesus' “mother and brothers”, and they were a part of the family of God. The invitation to be included in God's family is extended toward everyone who receives His Son Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord”. John the apostle wrote, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12), and the moment someone “trusts in, relies upon and clings to” Jesus Christ, they become God's spiritual family for all eternity.

Next time Matthew shares how while Jesus tells the people, “whosoever shall do the will of my Father, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.