There is a very interesting portion of scripture in the gospel according to Matthew. In this passage of scripture, the Lord Jesus Christ showed us that he did not elevate His natural family above His spiritual family. Here is the passage:
While he (Jesus) yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:46-50)
Jesus was informed by someone that His mother (Mary) was outside with her other children and they wanted to speak with Him. Jesus then took that opportunity to show the people that His spiritual family were those who did the will of His Father. Jesus specifically asked the question “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?” and then He answered His own question by stretching forth His hand toward those who were sitting before Him, those who were listening to him teach. Jesus took that opportunity to make it clear that not even His own family (in the natural) were to be elevated above those who followed him and did the will of the Father. Every single person has the opportunity to join the family of God by believing in Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is not a respector of persons and this passage of scripture has made that very clear. I became part of that very same family of God when I was born again of the Spirit in 1989.
