11. CHRIST'S MOTHER AND Mark 3:31-35 (Matthew 12:46-50; Luke 8:19-21) 31 And there come his mother and his brethren;--This gives the arrival of friends at Capernaum, who probably came from Nazareth to take charge of Jesus. (Verse 21.) The names of his brethren are recorded in Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:55; James, Joses, Simon, and Judas. and, standing without, they sent unto him, calling him.--Jesus was teaching when they came seeking him. The report of his strange teaching and the dangerous antagonism he had provoked had of course reached them. Mary's heart doubtless was much troubled, and she wished he were out of the crowd, and with her again in the home at Nazareth. This is natural for a mother. The crowd was so packed that they could not reach him (Luke 8:19) on their arrival so had to "stand without." Either outside of the house, or beyond the circle of his hearers in the open. Not being able to reach him they "sent unto him." That is, passing the message probably from one to another until it reached him that they were waiting for him. The fact that his mother would join his brethren in disturbing him while publicly engaged in teaching shows her great anxiety for her son. 32 And a multitude was sitting about him; and they say unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.--This was the message passed from one to another until it reached him. (Matthew 12:47.) 33 And he answereth them, and saith, Who is my mother and my brethren?--[He made this the occasion of teaching them that there is a relationship to him as strong and near as the dearest fleshly relation. He doubtless knew the object of the coming of his brethren.] Our Lord did not despise human relationship. He loved his mother. (John 19:26-27.) He esteemed the spiritual relationship the more. He knew better than they what, when, and how long to speak. This and other scriptures (Luke 2:48-49; John 2:4) show the folly of the Roman Catholic doctrine of Mary as an object of invocation and worship. She regarded herself by nature a sinner, and in need of a Savior. (Luke 1:47.) It was as necessary for Jesus to suffer and die to redeem his mother from sin as it was to redeem others. He used these fleshly relationships as an illustration of the divine. He taught them that his earthly relations had no control of his divine work and that the spiritual must come first. They were not competent to judge correctly as to his duty. The time had come to impress a lesson as to life's truest relationships. 34 And looking round on them that sat round about him,--These were they who were so drawn to him as to forsake all to follow him. he saith, Behold, my mother and my brethren!--How strangely the words must have echoed to the hearts of those who stood without desiring to see him, but what a glow of joy --the joy of being tenderly loved--must have come to the little band of disciples near by! They knew he held a deep and holy love for his mother and his brethren; and it was even so to them. [His disciples were near him. He looked on them arid said: "Behold, my mother and my brethren!" Those he recognized as his mother and brethren were among these. Let none think he lightly esteemed his mother, who had borne him and nursed him and followed him with anxious heart. If they should so think, go with him to the cross, see him there forget the anguish and pain of the cross in his anxiety to provide for the comfort of his mother for her few remaining days on earth. (John 19:26-27.) He committed her to his beloved and loving John. He loved his mother tenderly, and could forget his own anguish to provide for her. His example in this love for his mother is worthy of commendation to all children. But as dear to him as was that relation of mother, there is a spiritual relation just as near and as strong into which we may enter.] 35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.--Here Jesus enlarges the circle, and takes in the dutiful souls of all the ages. Whoso shall do the will of God, he is a child of God. The truest relationships of life are not of flesh and blood, these are the accidental and artificial ties. The truest ties are ever of the spirit. They are his brother, sister, and mother because born of the same Father. (John 3:3; John 3:5.) [He defines here how the humblest and the lowest may enter into the relation as near and dear to him as that of his own fleshly mother, brother, sister. Whoso will do the will of my Father, the same is my mother, brother, sister. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21.) "If a man love me, he will keep my word:and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:23.) "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." (1 John 5:3.) Jesus loved the human family while in sin. He so loved it that he gave up heaven with its glories to redeem man from sin and the ruin sin brings upon man.]