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," Luke 8:19-21.
When you read and study the Scriptures, and strive to be obedient to the Scriptures, those who do not read or strive to be obedient will think you are a radical Christian, when in fact, according to the Scriptures, you are simply doing what the bible says to do. It is sad that what is supposed to be the norm is considered radical, even by those who claim to be a Christian. As you grow in the Lord, you see your own sins as exceedingly sinful. You begin to withdraw from events that promote sinful activities. You see the world in a different light, which means you look at the world through the lens of Scripture. You are not trying to be better than others, you simply do not want to associate with that which is sinful.
The Lord has given you a new heart, and with this new heart a new love for the things of God. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor coveteous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God," I Corinthians 6:9-11. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever," I John 2:15-17. Also turn to Romans 6:15-23. "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death," Romans 6:21.
You do not go where you used to go and you do not do what you used to do because you are not who you used to be. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new," II Corinthians 5:17. You hear the Word of God, you obey it, and people will think that you have lost your mind. They will say you are radical, and that you are missing out on those things which the world considers fun. Your own family will get together and try to convince you not to live for Jesus, but to live for Him how they live for Him, which is really living for themselves with the name of Christ as a cloak. We see this with Jesus' own family.
"Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press," Luke 8:19. Why were they there, what was their goal, did they believe, and did Mary doubt? We know His mother is Mary. In Luke 1:26-56 we read about the angel Gabriel speaking with Mary, we read of her visit with her cousin Elisabeth, and we read Mary's song of praise. In Luke 2:1-38 we read about the birth of Jesus Christ, the shepherds visiting the stable, Christ being dedicated in the temple and Simeon and Anna praising God for being faithful to His promise in sending the Saviour. We read about these experiences of Mary and we say how could she doubt that Jesus is the Christ? It has been over thirty years since these events have taken place. Mary is a sinner, just like everyone else born of the seed of man. Obviously, there are times she doubted if Christ was really who the angel Gabriel said He was. Could it be that she was looking for the same experience and feelings she had thirty years ago to confirm her faith? God has given us everything we need to live for Him, and all of it is found in His infallible, inerrant, inspired Word. We are never told to trust an experience or feeling, but we are continually told to bring Scripture to remembrance. "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth," II Peter 1:12.
There are times in our lives when we are not focused on the Lord and are not walking with Him that we will forget promises given to us (II Peter 1:3-11). This will cause us to question and to doubt God. Then add to this being surrounded by people who are not converted and who are constantly casting doubt and even mocking the things of God. Especially when these people are your own family members, and people from your own community. The word "brethren" in Luke 8:19 is the Greek word "adelphos" and means a brother, whether derived from the same father or also born of the same mother. These with Mary was Jesus's half brothers and sisters. It is obvious that Joseph and Mary had many children after Jesus was born. At this time in our text of Luke 8, it is also obvious that Jesus' brethren were not believers. Let that sink in for a second; even Jesus' own brethren at this time were not believers. "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace," Galatians 1:15. Salvation is truly totally a work of God, on His timing. Until the Lord saves our loved ones, we must live peaceably with them, and we must be grounded in the faith, because they will cast much doubt on Scripture. "That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive," Ephesians 4:14.
As we walk with Jesus in this life, we have so much to learn about Him. We must keep in mind that we are dependent upon Him to learn about Him. "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us, neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee," II Chronicles 20:12. Our God is good and faithful. May the Lord grant us grace to hear the Word of God, and do it.
Lord willing, next time we will finish Luke 8:19-21.
Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
