Family Values 19 February 2008

Mark 3:19-35
Tuesday, 19 February 2008

Just today, while speaking with a student in one of my classes and hearing her story, I had the opportunity to revisit one of the most disappointing moments of my early life. I had just been accepted at Harvard and was soliciting scholarship money from local organizations. My aunt happened to be on one of the committees and noticed that my application said that I was planning to major in theology. She informed other family members that I appeared to be abandoning my childhood commitment to the legal profession. Although all of most of my family members are faithful and committed Christians, several of those who were closest to me expressed their disappointment and disapproval of my apparent choice to enter the ministry. Almost in the same words that my students' relatives used on her, they asked me why I would waste such a magnificent opportunity as Harvard provided by training for the ministry. Turns out that my family sometimes just didn't get it.

In yesterday's lesson, Jesus retreated with his closest followers, drawing them close in preparation for sending them forth. Today he has returned home, and is greeted by the usual crowds and skeptics. This time, however, another group shows up on his doorstep: his family. The last time we encountered Jesus' family was around Christmas time, when Joseph protected baby Jesus and Mary pondered all things in her heart. Joseph has disappeared from the scene. Mary is now accompanied by Jesus' siblings. Rumor has it that Jesus is losing it, and his family seems to believe the rumor. "They went out to restrain him, for people were saying 'He has gone out of his mind.'" Wonder of wonders,Jesus' family just doesn't get it.

I guess I should say that most of my family has come around by this time, as the trajectory of my ministry has led me in directions and toward opportunities that were unimaginable twenty years ago when I was a high school senior. But part of the reason I am able to stand today is that I was able to withstand the well-meaning discouragement of those who were closest to me in those days. Following Jesus means acknowledging that the will of God is more important even than the will of those who love us and whom we love most. We have to make up our minds that as long as Jesus is with us, we have the best company.

Sing "All the Way My Savior Leads Me"

Let us pray:
Loving God, again we express our gratitude that in Jesus Christ you became one of us and experienced the most challenging aspect of human life. Even rejected and misunderstood, you demonstrated the way of faithfulness for us. We pray for our families that they and we may always value most what pleases you. Amen.