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MARY DEFINITELY NOT SUPERIOR TO JESUS
THURSDAY, MAY 29
Matthew 12:46-50

Luke 8:19-21

 

“…My mother and my brethren
are these which hear

the word of God, and do it.”

 

MARY DEFINITELY NOT SUPERIOR TO JESUS
 
Mary and her sons wanted to see Jesus while He was teaching the people. Since they could not get in because of the crowd, they requested someone to convey the message to Him, making themselves known as His mother and brothers. What they did was quite rude. Instead of interrupting Him, they could have waited till He was done. Perhaps, they thought that they would get special attention because of their physical relationship to Him.
 
Jesus used this interruption to teach a spiritual truth. Special attention from Him comes from a spiritual and not physical relationship. Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Behold my mother and my brethren! …My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. … For whosoever shall do the will of my Father (God) which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
 
Jesus clearly did not run immediately to Mary when she called Him. He put Mary and her sons in their proper places. The Roman Church teaches that Jesus must listen and do the bidding of Mary all the time since she is His mother. But here we find Jesus doing just the very opposite. Jesus put Mary on hold. She had to wait until He had accomplished doing His Father’s will in teaching the people. Jesus would allow no one to distract Him from His all-important mission — to do His Father’s will. Jesus had already told Mary at the temple that He had to be about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49). Apparently, Mary did not take heed of His words. So in telling the people that they ought to hear God’s Word and do His will, Jesus showed it by example. By continuing in His teaching, and refusing to see Mary right away, He practised what He preached. Even in such tiny matters, Jesus was faultless in His behaviour. He was perfectly obedient to His heavenly Father.
 
THOUGHT: Did Jesus teach His disciples to pray to the Father or to Mary?

PRAYER: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

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