October 17 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading:

Matthew 12:46-50

⁴⁶While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
⁴⁷Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
⁴⁸But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
⁴⁹And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
⁵⁰For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Devotional:

Mary has been called by some 'the mother of God' but Protestants would rather refer to her as the 'mother of Jesus,' since this term is specific concerning the God-given position she occupied. By grace she was granted to participate in the incarnation of the second person of the Trinity. In Matthew 12 we read an interesting sentiment from the lips of Jesus. He appears to be shedding any claims His mother might have upon Him! He had been subject to her and to Joseph as He was growing up. Now that He has embarked upon His public ministry He wants it known that His relationship to Mary is no different from His relationship to you and to me!

We can suppose that, since Mary was truly a human mother, this pierced her heart as a sword. Mothers often have a real struggle relinquishing their hold upon their maturing sons and daughters. Many times they deeply resent that other woman who has come into the life of their son or that man who has robbed them of the close mother-daughter relationship they used to enjoy.

Jesus was not being cruel. In a very striking way He was reaching the great truth that all believers are precious to Him! Each one is a sister or mother or brother for whom He died! He is not relegating Mary to a low place. He is raising us to a high one with her. We can believe that He honored her all his life, even on the cross when He lovingly entrusted her to the care of John.

A word to the husband of a woman who is finding it difficult to see her son go! This is a time when you should lovingly insist that she untie those apron strings. Your wife, in whom emotion is such a driving force, may be blinded to what she is doing to this son, to herself and to you. Your strength is needed here. If you fail to step in, the son himself may some day have to break this tie. That would be much more difficult and not nearly so appropriate.

A man is to leave his mother as he assumes responsibility for a new family unit. Yes, mother, his leaving may hurt, but as you face it with Christ you can grow!