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Why Would Jesus Rebuke His Own Mother? (Or Because We're All In This Together)

I promise I'm not as boring as I may sound.
Ok.
You may continue.


To set it up, Jesus has just rebuked his concerned mother (she thought he was going a little overboard with this whole Savior-thing) in front of a crowd of his disciples because it was so crowded that she couldn't get close enough to him. So, she basically tells a random disciple, "Hey, please get Jesus's attention & tell him that his mother & brothers are here to get him."(Ouch!)
Jesus essentially replies, "These are my mothers & brothers; the ones following me, listening to me, & obeying me."

Now, the explanation.
As I read this portion of commentary from the Life Application New Testament Commentary (by the way, one of my favorite resources) I knew I had to share it's contents which explain the story.

"Jesus gave a respectful rebuke to his overly concerned mother; he was not severing ties with his earthly family. Through this incident, Jesus gave another lesson to his followers by explaining that spiritual relationships are as binding as physical ones. This would be the basis for the new community that Jesus was building--the Christian family [aka. The Church]...In these words, Jesus was explaining that in his spiritual family, relationships are ultimately more important and longer-lasting than those formed in one's physical family." (in reference to Luke 8:19-21, emphasis added)

I love it!
Shouldn't this then change our attitude & behavior towards the people in our church communities?
Now, let these words sink in:

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:35, NLT)

A Strong Rebuttal For Charges Against Your Lack of Age

"Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."

-Timothy 4:12 (NLT)

Instead of getting a bad attitude when this happens (the getting-thought-less-of), get stronger in your example. Let your words, actions, motives, faith, and pure living be the rebuttal to the charges made against you and your lack of age.

Watch Out For The Big Buts

(Warning: the word "but" and the word "butt" will be used.)

We've all heard about a city called Jericho. Many of us have even heard about the walls of Jericho falling down after the Israelite army marched around them for 7 days (that's a total of 42 laps!). If you don't know the details read the Biblical account here, then continue reading 'cause you'll miss the impact of the big but. Here's the beginning of the next day after the victory of Jericho:

"But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites..."
(Joshua 7:1)

OUCH! Did you see that but? Now that has got to be one of biggest, stinkiest, dirtiest buts I have ever seen! Just when you thought the party was getting started, here comes a big but to ruin all the fun. Let me explain. You see, God gave Israel very detailed instructions of what to do once they attacked Jericho. He told them who to save, what to keep, what to destroy, and what to dedicate to him as a sacrifice. And 99.9% of all of Israel obeyed the details. However, one butt (yes, with two t's) named Achan ruined all the fun and now the great story of Israel's victory over Jericho is maimed forever with a big but because of a big butt named Achan.

There is so much to learn from this story of victory in Joshua 6 and defeat in Joshua 7 regardless of who you are AND regardless of if you believe the story to be true or not. (I personally believe it and so should you, by the way) Here's what this big but reveals to me: your decision to disobey God's instruction directly affects others in your life.

99.9% of Israel listened to God's instructions when they attacked and destroyed Jericho, but the .1% didn't. And the consequence? People died, Israel's army was crushed by a little army they should have annihilated in their sleep, they became fearful and all their courage melted away.

Think your decisions don't affect others?
Think again, before you make a big butt of yourself and maim your entire church, family, business, band, or team with a big, stinky, dirty but in the middle of people who are actually doing the right thing.

Let this be an encouragement to you to not be the but.

Stand Up, Be Strong!

I hope these words from The Word bring you as much encouragement as they bring to me. There is something powerful behind this command. Regardless of who you are, where you've been, or what you've done, this is God's desire for each of us:

"7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
-Joshua 1:7-9, NLT

Now go, be strong, and strengthen someone else.