Our country is in the middle of an “identity crisis.” Some believe that a true patriot is one who supports the government through thick and thin. Others believe that it is one who protests what they believe is a faulty establishment. In our country there once was a sense of security in knowing what it meant to be an “American.” Now no one seems to be sure.
Our mental health demands that we have a strong sense of who we are. Once we thought that this was provided by our country. Now this seems to be disappearing. Where do we look to find out who we are? The Church? Our families? A “club” of like-minded people? Is there a stable sense of identity in any of these groups—even families?
Today’s gospel passage reveals to us the solution to our identity crises. It tells us exactly who we can be—and to whom we can belong (Luke 8:19-21).
“The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and wish to see you.’ He said to them in reply, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.’”
Can we think of any more secure place in life than being the mother of the Son of God? The members of Jesus family knew he was an anointed leader of Israel—probably the long-promised Messiah. There was no more important person on earth than Jesus. Yet, was that enough? Did Jesus’ relatives have it made?
Being a blood relative of Jesus was not enough to answer one’s identity needs. True connection to Jesus went much deeper than this.
Jesus put it this way: “my mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” A true relationship with Jesus went deeper than family relations, deeper than being an Israelite, and beyond being part of the crowd that followed him. He was offering an invitation to people from every land and nation, to be a member of his living Body—to hear God’s word and act on it.
People can belong to a “Church club” or a Bible study group and hear God’s word every week. Is that enough? Is belonging to a Christian group enough? Until God’s Word penetrates our minds and hearts and awakens in us the desire to act on it, we do not qualify as true “relatives” of Jesus Christ.
Remember when Jesus attacked the false identity of some religious teachers. When he preached his message of freedom, some of them protested. They said that they were already free because they were children of Abraham, and this was enough for them. Jesus rebuked them by uncovering the truth. He said, in effect, that their true father was Satan, not Abraham, because if they were true children of Abraham, they would have done as Abraham did—listen to the word of God and act on it. They would have said “yes” to God’s incarnate Son and followed him.
How well-grounded are we in our identity? Are we content with sitting on the periphery of a church group or doing hit-and-miss appearances at church programs? Is Jesus Christ one of our many interests, or is he the Center of our lives? Is our primary goal of every day seeking to grow deeper in Him?
“I am the Good Shepherd, say the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me” (John 10:14).
