The next story mentioning Mary is found in Matthew 12:46-50. While the number of verses in this story is small, the message is huge. Let’s walk along with Mary to see what is the message behind the telling of the story.
Matthew 12 starts off with the Pharisees questioning Jesus and the disciples because they had been walking through a grain field. They were hungry and so they picked a few heads of grain and ate them. The Pharisees were determined that Jesus and the disciples had broken the Sabbath. That was Matthew 12:1-7.
The next story told appears to have happened the same day. Jesus and his disciples went into the synagogue and saw a man with a withered hand. It’s still the Sabbath day. Long story made short … Jesus healed the man. Matthew 12:8-21.
The next story does not specifically mention that it happened on the same Sabbath or that the Sabbath was an issue specific to this story. A demon-possessed man who was also blind and unable to talk was brought to Jesus. When Jesus healed the man he could see and talk. The Pharisees and the people got into a dispute concerning whether Satan could cast out his own demons or if it required God’s power. Matthew 12:22-29.
Matthew 12:30-32 is Jesus’ commentary on the only sin that can’t be forgiven. Theologians have named this sin the unpardonable sin. In Matthew 12:33-37, Jesus continues the discussion emphasizing that it is a person’s character that determines if they have active sin in their lives or not.
Matthew 12:38-45 tells of the Pharisees demanding signs from Jesus to prove that he was who he said he was. He challenges the Pharisees when he tells the story/parable about the unclean spirit that was cast out of a person, but after roaming around didn’t find anyone else to inhabit, so he went back to the original person and God hadn’t been replaced in that person’s heart so the heart was empty. He then called seven other unclean spirits and they took up residence and the man was worse off than before.
It is only after this whole series of short stories that Matthew mentions that while Jesus had been telling all these stories, his mother and brothers were standing outside and had been asking to be allowed to come and talk with Jesus. Jesus’ words are an encouragement to each of us:
“But Jesus replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”
And stretching out His hand toward His disciples [and all His other followers], He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven [by believing in Me, and following Me] is My brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:48-50 (AMP)
What can I learn from this experience with Jesus’ mother, Mary? Jesus had been doing the will of His Heavenly Father in pointing out some inconsistencies between what God’s requirements were and how man had twisted the meaning so much. In the middle of that attempt to reach the hearts and souls of the crowd, the Pharisees interrupt and try to derail the teaching by Jesus. How many times does Satan and his cohorts try to interrupt me when I’m trying to do the will of the Heavenly Father? All too often, just like he did with Christ. In those times, my answer must reflect Christ’s words – when following the prompting of the Holy Spirit to share the Good News of salvation, those are the most important people in that moment. I need to tell Satan and his cohorts to go away and let me alone while I’m doing God’s work. My work for God will most likely look very different from Christ’s earthly ministry … because I’m NOT God. I’m NOT Jesus. I’m NOT even an angel! I’m a human being just trying to listen carefully for the Holy Spirit’s voice and then obey what God asks me to do.
Dear Lord, help me today to only listen to your Holy Spirit and the prompting that asks me to share the Good News about God’s Character. Help me not to be distracted by the enemy’s various deceptions. Thank you for your example in how to answer false charges.
Published on MyBibleRoom.com 6/4/25, 9:20pm