While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood outside, 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.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Proverbs 16;21.
The wisdom of God is spoken and comprehensive among those who are spiritually wise and discerning among the children of the kingdom. They are not merely scriptural instructed and wise [2 Timothy 3;15], but rooted in godly and moral understanding with sound judgment and discretion.
Only God will flip the switch inside us to open the minds to the understanding of scripture for a clear spiritual vision, for spiritual ears to understand and a circumcised heart to perceive the power and wisdom of Christ's word. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1.15-18. Note: the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6. The eyes of your understanding must be enlightened. Without revelatory knowledge, revelatory wisdom and revelatory understanding, the transforming power to live a life of divine nature to obtain eternal life, promised in the written word of God, remains inactive in the life of any hearer or believer in Christ Jesus. Luke 24;45.
One of the purposes of Christ's incarnation was to make the Father known to us. No man hath seen God at any time, the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 1;18.
Christ came to reveal and to teach us what the nature of our personal relationship with God should be; [b] how to relate with anyone [believers and unbelievers] in our life in the light of scripture. Is it not written, and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong [towards God or man] shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Colossians 3;23-25.
Christ never spoke for himself but for the Father. Either in words or deeds, Christ has never acted for his own glory or spoken for his own honor, but for the glory and honor of his heavenly Father.
Apostle Paul, in one of his epistles, wrote to exhort believers to do everything in words or in deeds to the glory of God, and in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17.
Either for the comfort of scripture, rebuke and correction of love, blessings for those who have not seen him yet, but believe, or curses spoken against the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida where many of his miracles were done, but they did not believe, or for instructions in righteousness, Christ speaks with the tongue of the learned. Isaiah 50;4.
Believers should pray to receive the tongue of the learned from their Lord. Note: Christ sets the standard for true, righteous communication. Never man speaks like the Lord. John 7;46. Why? The answer is simple; every action and word of the Lord reveals the authority, character, and glory of the Father who lives and does the works in him. John 14:11.
Believer’s actions and words should be candid, solely focus on the praise and glory of God in the representation of the truth of the person of the indwelling Christ. This is the only way to utter words filled with grace and seasoned with salt to preserve souls in the will of God. Whoever speaks of himself seeks his own glory: but he that seeks his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. John 7:18.
In all the Lord's discourse, teachings and doctrines, his answers to his chosen disciples, his earthly parents, the opposing scribes and pharisees or responding to the crowd after him, none actually originate from him, but from the Father who teaches him what to say and what to answer. John 8;28. Note: wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness; for, we wrestle not against the flesh and blood; therefore, divine wisdom and knowledge are not comprehended by human understanding. So, madness and wrath, abuse and offense are often witnessed or displayed as a response and reaction against divine truth and wisdom [John 10;33]; the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2;14.
How forcible [painful] are the right words! But what doth your arguing reprove? Job 6;25.
Because the Father in heaven filled the lips of Christ with immeasurable grace [Psalms 45;2]; therefore, there was never a vain word from his mouth, but they are life, and they are spirit. John 6:63.
Should we not implore God to pour his immeasurable grace upon our lips from the fulness of him from whom we receive grace to grace that we might know how we ought to answer every man?
Christ's words are words from the heart and mind of God the Father. For I have not spoken of myself; but the father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the father said unto me, so I speak. John 12; 49-50.
Great peace have they that love his word, and nothing shall offend them. Psalms 119;165.
Christ's words are not spoken or given to all men to receive, but only those to whom it has been given [Matthew 19;11] to obey and to continue therein, making their calling and election sure to secure their salvation through their understanding of the will of God and doing it; good understanding brings favor, but the way of sinner is hard. Proverbs 13;15. Note; the will of God consists not only the written Testament to observe and obey [Psalm 19;11], but also includes his revelatory will which never contradicts the written word, but confirming and supporting it. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12.
Not all believers are after the things of the spirit. Romans 8;5. Not all believers living in the spirit are walking in the spirit. Galatians 5:25. Not all believers seek after the things which are the Lord's, but seek after their own. Philippians 2;21. Therefore, those words spoken by Christ are exclusively spoken and given to those who are spiritually minded, seeking after the mind of the Lord on any issue. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1Corinthians 2;16.
Christ's words are spoken and given to those who have overcome the flesh to see beyond the natural eyes, to walk in the ways of God and to think his thoughts, triumphing over every false sentiment and carnal bond or affection against the immediate or future will and purposes of God; he that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me. He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 10;37-39.
We ought to obey God rather than man. Acts 5;29.
God’s honor should come first. Christ's words are spoken and given to those who have placed value and honor on God and his word above the value and honor given to anyone in their lives. Isaiah 66:5.
The believer’s true joy in the God of his salvation, his tranquility with him comes from fulfilling divine will and pleasure, notwithstanding outside pressures, the contradiction of sinners and criticism from carnal or false brethren who are seeking the praise, approval and honor that comes from men or from the world. John 12;43.
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.
Christ's question about who his mother should be was not in the denial of Mary, her loving mother, his first admirer, the instrument through which our Lord came into the world. Luke 1;38.
She was a woman of great faith who directed the attention of the invitees to the Lordship and eternal glory of Christ at the marriage feast at Cannan, where the Lord turned water into wine, which was the beginning of his miracle and many turned to the Lord and believed in him. John 2:11.
First, the Lord showed deeper respect and honor to Mary and Joseph at the age of twelve, voluntarily submitted to their authority when brought back home from Jerusalem, where he stayed behind after the feast. Luke 2;51. Second, the Lord showed great care and love for Mary at the point of his death on the cross, leaving her for the care, love and attention of the disciple whom he loved. John 19;26-27.
For whatever reason, let no man glory in men. 1 Corinthians 3;21.
Christ should be the center of the glory and not us, not anyone. The depth of any relationship and closeness with God is shown and known through God's manifested presence in such a vessel. Note: those who are chosen, called and presently glorified by God in Christ Jesus [Romans 8;30] should avoid worldly pride and relevance [a desire to feel important, noticed] which are in direct opposition to the will and glory of God. 1 John 2;15-17. Note; the glory of God is indisputable and indivisible. God will never share his glory with anyone in our life, not even us. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1;17.
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.
The context to which Mary drew attention to Christ at the marriage feast at Canaan was different to the state of mind for which she sought to draw attention to herself and to the other earthly brothers of the Lord [who by then had never believed in him. John 7;5] by showing false family negative influence of which many are guilty and subjected to submit today, which was not acceptable before God.
There is a vast difference between the Christ at the age of twelve and the Christ at thirty years old of full responsibility and accountability.
The former age of Christ was to submit himself in obedience to the word of God as a dependent child before his earthly parents in honor. Luke 2;51.
The latter age was to pull down every stronghold, casting down imagination and bringing into captivity every thought into obedience of God in him. We should give honor to whom it is due. Respect to whom it is due. We should love all men [believers or unbelievers], especially the brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Be mindful of your influences and be careful of what you hear. Those who actively listen to and understand Christ's teachings will receive greater spiritual wisdom, while those who do not will lose the little understanding they have of him. In your personal life and relationship with God, submission to his will and execution of it require disallowing any earthly bond, friendship, mentor, advisor, admirer or seniority whatsoever to have any place of influence, acceptance or recognition against the word and will of God. 1 Kings 13;11-25.
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaims, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Luke 1:42.
Were these blessings spoken of Elizabeth by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit taken away from Mary when the Lord argued against the exclamation of another woman who was moved with a great gratitude and appreciation of the mysteries of the kingdom heard from Christ? Has the Lord equally canceled the blessedness spoken by Elizabeth concerning him? And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman of the company lifted her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou hast sucked. But he said, yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Luke 11;27-28.
The Lord's response from the first request of attention from his mother and his brethren and the second praise and admiration from another woman points us to one particular thing, the true blessedness of hearing, obeying the word and doing the will of God.
What is the good in having Abraham as father but not doing the will of God as Abraham did? Christ redirects the focus from any human praise, merit or bond with any earthly mother or father to the importance of obeying God’s Word individually. What is the good of being the sons of Eli, the first priest of Israel, but living a life of open defiance and rebellion against the word of God and against his will, against his holiness? Note: Actions reveal the character. They are false brethren though they appear to be in Christ with all visible evidence of rejoicing in appearance, but walking contrary to the word and will of Christ.
Earthly parents, friends and siblings may disown you because of faith in Christ, but God will not. Psalms 27;10.
Christ redefines family with the declaration that his mother and brothers are not merely his biological relatives, identifying his faithful disciples and other obedient follower believers as his spiritual family, emphasizing that spiritual obedience and commitment to God take precedence over, and expand, traditional family bonds. Love the brotherhood with the unfeigned love of brethren; now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling. 1Timothy 1;5-6.
Genuine spiritual brothers and sisters are those with whom you will be spending eternity in the absence of your parents and siblings whose names are not found written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 20;5.
How can we profitably live in the imputed righteousness of Christ without discerning spiritual truth which involves willingness to align one's will with God's? The righteousness of thy testimony is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live. Psalm119; 144.
Those who are walking with God must also be living for him. Do you think that everyone who walks with God is living for him? Do you think that everyone desiring to walk with him is ready to live for him?
The direct answer from Christ to the rich young man to go and sell his belongings and to distribute to the poor, to follow him and to have treasure in heaven shows the rules of walking with God and living for him. Note: what is so precious in comparison to the pearl of a great price? Those who are coming into the kingdom of God should know they are discovering and possessing an immeasurable treasure in Christ. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then, in his joy, went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13;44.
This was the faulty thinking or understanding of the rich young man against the response and instruction given by the Lord to go and sell all that he had to follow him in exchange for eternal life. Where ever the will of the master is, there should the desire and emotion of his servant be. Matthew 19;16-24.
Let those who inquire to walk with God and to live for him call nothing their own, but what they have is devoted to him and desire to be used by him. Acts 4;32.
Walking with God demands absolute loyalty and obedience. Nothing should be too great for us to get low for him if it is to fulfill his will. Didn't Christ come from heaven to earth to show us the way and to die for us?
Let the dead bury their dead. Luke 9;60. Blood or earthly relations should not prevent us from immediately obedient to the will and call of God where souls are perishing. Nothing or anyone should be so attached to us that we can't detach from him to please God if such stands against his will and the purpose; everything concerning the redeem of the Lord is about the Lord.