Belonging to the Family of Christ

The Family of Jesus

Jesus' mother and brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. When he was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you," he answered, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."

Luke 8:19-21

Jesus gives a striking response. His family is not defined by flesh and blood, but by hearing the word of God and doing it. This redefines belonging to his family. Genuine members—mothers, brothers, sisters—are those who listen to God's word and obey it.

In a spiritual sense, if you hear and do the word of God, you are Jesus' mother, brother, or sister. Jesus prioritizes his spiritual family over his physical one. He doesn't part the crowd for Mary and his brothers; he's focused on building God's family.

The Storm and the Demons

Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." As they sailed, he fell asleep. A windstorm came down, filling the boat with water. They woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" He rebuked the wind and waves, and they ceased. There was calm. He said, "Where is your faith?" They were afraid and marveled, saying, "Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey?"

Luke 8:22-25

They sailed to the country of the Gerasenes. A demon-possessed man met Jesus. He wore no clothes, lived among tombs, and cried out, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me." Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out. The demon said, "Legion," for many had entered him. They begged not to go into the abyss. A herd of pigs was feeding nearby. The demons entered the pigs, which rushed into the lake and drowned.

The herdsmen fled and told the city. People came and found the man clothed, in his right mind, sitting at Jesus' feet. They were afraid and asked Jesus to depart. The healed man begged to go with him, but Jesus said, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." He went away, proclaiming throughout the city what Jesus had done for him.

Luke 8:26-39

The Purpose of Luke's Gospel

Luke writes to assure us of the certainty of what we have learned about Jesus. Whether from church, Sunday school, parents, or youth group, we need to know the truth about Jesus. This is a matter of eternal life and death.

Luke, as a first-century historian, records the words of God to confirm what we know. Jesus' miracles—physical healings—demonstrate his power to forgive sins spiritually. People were excited about Jesus because he forgives sins.

Parables explain why some become Christians: God grants it to some, while others love their sin and refuse. Genuine light isn't hidden; it's shared. Real Christians endure suffering—lions in the arena or social media backlash—while fakes fall away.

Hearing and Doing: Marks of the True Family

Now Luke turns to doing God's word, distinguishing genuine from fake Christians. Jesus' family hears and obeys.

James, Jesus' brother and author of the book of James, echoes this: "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

James 1:22

Hearers only deceive themselves into thinking they belong to Jesus' family. You can't tell genuine family just by who listens in church—that's wheat and tares mixed. The difference shows in obedience.

Obeying means applying Scripture, like Ephesians 6: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you."

Ephesians 6:1-3

When a parent says, "Clean your room," the doer obeys—not to impress God, but because they love him, seek his promise of good human relationships, and honor God-placed authority. The Bible doesn't condone sinful parenting, but obedience starts there for your good.