Jesus' family was involved in his life throughout his ministry. They traveled with him, they annoyed him, they tried to hold him back, but they also supported him and followed him. It was a mixture of good, bad, and amazing.
After the disciples witness Jesus turn the water into wine - they have faith in him. Then... 12 Jesus went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days (John 2:12) .
Just a short verse. Yet it tells us something about Jesus. He travels not just with his disciples, but with his brothers and mother. His sisters (mentioned in Mark 6:2) aren't said to travel with him - perhaps they were married and had children to attend to.
We find out the names of Jesus' male siblings in Mark 6:2: James, Joses (Joseph), Judas, and Simon.
Jesus' brothers appear to be heavily involved in Jesus' ministry. Although, much like his disciples, they are not always helpful and not always full of faith in Jesus: "Jesus' brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; 4 for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world." 5 (For not even his brothers believed in him.) 6 Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always here" (John 7).
At times, Jesus has to remind his family that his kingdom redefines family relationships. His kingdom makes all who follow him family. He speaks truth to his family rather than letting them dominate or derail his life: 46 While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." 48 But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:46-50).
Yet, his mother stood near the cross as Jesus died (John 19:25). And at Pentecost, his mother and brothers gathered with the disciples and waited for the Holy Spirit to descend upon them: "14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers" (Acts 1:14).
Later in the book of Acts, it appears that his brother, James goes on to be the head of the church in Jerusalem. And many believe that he is also the author of the Book of James.
How do your mother, father, brothers, and sisters figure into your life? Have you ever thought about following Jesus together? What would that look like?
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