06/11/2018
On Sunday, June 10, we shared in interesting excerpt from Episcopal priest Rick Morley's "All in the Family"--a reflection on Mark 3:20-35. Enjoy:
.. Family is as foundational a concept in the Bible as anything else. The Bible begins in Genesis, not with talk of nations and tribes…but families.
Big families. Real families. With moments of disfunction so great it makes your head spin—and gives one pause at the phrase ”biblical family values.”
And, sure, there are other great metaphors to describe the relationship between God and humankind. King and subjects. Master and slaves.
But, it always comes back around to family.
Sometimes God’s faithful people are likened to the bride of the Bridegroom. And our infidelities are then compared to adultery.
But, most of the time we’re God’s children. God’s daughters and sons who bring great joy as well as great consternation.
And so, coming to God and God’s Kingdom is really like…going home. To family.
In Mark chapter three Jesus’ family is either frustrated with him, or just plain worried about him. They hear that Jesus is drawing crowds again, and they go to restrain him—because people are talking.
Some people think he’s loony. And his family is either embarrassed, or worried of what might become of him.
It doesn’t always end well for such people.
But, Jesus doesn’t seem to mind all that much. After all, he knows how badly it’s all going to turn out.
So what does he do? He opens up the tent and allows everyone who wants to enter the chance to enter. Who is his family? Those who do the will of God. When you do the will of God you get the chance to be his brother, his sister…even his mother!
Jesus’ family is an open family. The door to the family homestead is wide-open.
And while the rest of us may bring dysfunction in the door with us—and at times we can look like a group of misfits…the things we gain are amazing. And the greatest of those things is love.
Come on in. Join the family.
