Family Ties

“’Who are My mother and my brothers?’ He asked. Then He looked at those seated in a circle around Him and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers!’” Mark 3:33-34

The fifth commandment, found in Exodus 20:12, instructs us to honor our parents. The word “honor” in the original Hebrew language of the Old Testament means, “to be heavy,” or, “to give weight.” When used in this context, it means to offer profound respect to someone…to take him/her seriously and give a place of importance. The opposite would be to trivialize someone and treat him/her as if they didn’t matter. Notice that this command is not conditional. It does not say, “Honor your mother and father when they are good to you, when they act honorable.”

Let’s be honest, all families struggle…and some more than others. However, ignoring or dishonoring your family is not an option for a Christian. We don’t honor our parents because they deserve it – although most of them do. I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t acknowledge that some of you have been deeply wounded by your parents in a myriad of ways. To you, first of all, I say I am sorry. That is not the way God intended it to be. We live in a fallen world where the ravages of sin are devastating and far-reaching. You must not, however, allow Satan to trick you into using your hurt and disappointment as an excuse to disobey God. In most cases, you can still find ways to honor your parents. You honor them because the nature of the Gospel is that God gives us what we don’t deserve – forgiveness and grace – enabling us to give others what they might not deserve. We don’t do it for their sake – we do it for the sake of Jesus, who has so lavishly loved us.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention that there are some of you who would give almost anything to have the opportunity to honor your parents once again. I know first-hand how heartbreaking it is to lose your parents. To you, I would point you to s story in Mark 3. This was an occasion when Jesus was in someone’s house and a great crowd had gathered. It was standing room only, and people were outside trying to get in. Someone made their way to Jesus and said, “Your Mother and brothers are outside looking for You.” Then Jesus answered, “Who are My Mother and brothers?” Then He looked at those seated around Him and said, “Here are My Mother and brothers.” It seems like an odd answer, doesn’t it? Jesus wasn’t dismissing His family. Rather, He was teaching His followers that faith ties can be as strong – if not stronger – than family ties. Jesus was telling us that we are His family.

If you cannot care for your own parents, look for those within your faith family that need to be honored. There are widows that need someone else’s son to take care of them. There are single mothers that need surrogate fathers for their children. There are people who are sick and shut in that need someone to visit them. After all, whatever you do for them, you are doing for Christ. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me” (Matthew 25:40).

God, Thank You for the gift of my parents. Please help me to honor them in a way that brings honor and glory to Your Name. Also, please show me the ways I can honor those in my faith family that need it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.