When you dive into the teachings of Jesus, one of the most profound and impactful areas He spoke about is family. Jesus’s views on family weren’t just about traditional roles or relationships. He expanded the concept of family to include a broader, more spiritual community. Let’s explore what Jesus had to say about family, both in a traditional sense and in His broader, spiritual context.
The Traditional Family: Honoring and Loving
Respect and Honor Your Parents
Jesus placed a high value on honoring one’s parents. This principle is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where the Fifth Commandment explicitly states, “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). Jesus reaffirmed this commandment in Matthew 15:4, emphasizing that respecting parents is not just a cultural norm but a divine mandate.
In Mark 7:9-13, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for allowing people to neglect their parents under the guise of dedicating resources to God. He underscored that honoring parents involves practical support, not just lip service.
The Role of Love and Compassion
Jesus’s teachings on family are grounded in love and compassion. He consistently taught that love should be the foundation of all relationships. In John 13:34, He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” This directive isn’t limited to spiritual brothers and sisters but extends to our immediate families.
In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus illustrates the depth of a father’s love and forgiveness, showing how families should welcome back and forgive their members, no matter the mistakes made.
Redefining Family: Beyond Blood Relations
The Family of Believers
One of Jesus’s most revolutionary ideas was redefining family beyond biological ties. In Matthew 12:46-50, when His mother and brothers came to speak with Him, He said, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to His disciples, He continued, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” This wasn’t a rejection of His earthly family but an elevation of spiritual kinship based on obedience to God.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
Jesus expanded the concept of family to include all of humanity. The command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39) is a call to see everyone as part of God’s family. This teaching challenges us to extend the care, respect, and compassion we show to our immediate family to others in our community and beyond.
The Church as a Family
The early Christian church adopted Jesus’s view of spiritual kinship, referring to fellow believers as brothers and sisters. In Galatians 6:10, Paul encourages believers to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” The church community became an extended family, bound by faith rather than blood.
Challenges and Sacrifices
Putting God First
Jesus also taught that following Him might require difficult choices, sometimes even placing discipleship above family loyalty. In Luke 14:26, He stated, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” This hyperbolic language was meant to emphasize the cost of discipleship and the need to prioritize one’s relationship with God above all else.
Division Within Families
Jesus warned that His teachings might cause divisions even within families. In Matthew 10:34-36, He said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’” This doesn’t advocate for family strife but acknowledges that following Him might lead to conflict with those who don’t share the same faith.
Embracing the Cross
In Matthew 10:37-38, Jesus further elaborates on the cost of discipleship, saying, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Here, He calls His followers to embrace the sacrifices involved in prioritizing their spiritual journey, even when it involves significant personal costs.
Practical Lessons for Today
Building Strong Family Bonds
Applying Jesus’s teachings to our modern lives involves nurturing strong, loving relationships within our families. Here’s how you can do it:
- Show Honor and Respect: Treat your parents and family members with respect, acknowledging their role in your life.
- Practice Forgiveness: Be quick to forgive and reconcile, following the example of the forgiving father in the Prodigal Son story.
- Love Unconditionally: Embrace and love your family members unconditionally, just as Christ loves you.
Expanding Your View of Family
Jesus’s broader definition of family encourages us to build meaningful connections beyond our immediate relatives. Consider these steps:
- Engage in Community: Get involved in your church or community group, building relationships with others who share your faith.
- Support One Another: Be there for others in their times of need, offering support and encouragement as you would for your family.
- Show Compassion to All: Extend love and kindness to everyone you meet, viewing them as part of God’s larger family.
Balancing Priorities
Striking a balance between family responsibilities and spiritual commitments is essential:
- Prioritize Your Faith: Keep your relationship with God at the center of your life, guiding your decisions and actions.
- Communicate Openly: Discuss your spiritual commitments with your family, seeking understanding and support.
- Live Authentically: Let your faith influence how you treat your family and others, setting an example of Christ-like love and service.
Conclusion
Jesus’s teachings on family challenge us to honor and love our immediate relatives while expanding our concept of family to include all believers and even humanity at large. By following His example, we can build stronger, more loving relationships and embrace the broader spiritual family He calls us to. Remember, the essence of Jesus’s message is love—love for God, for family, and for everyone we encounter.
FAQs on Jesus and Family
1. What did Jesus say about honoring parents?
Jesus emphasized the importance of honoring parents, reaffirming the Fifth Commandment from the Old Testament. In Matthew 15:4, He stated, “For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’” He also criticized those who neglect their parents under the pretense of religious devotion (Mark 7:9-13).
2. How did Jesus define family?
Jesus redefined family beyond biological ties. In Matthew 12:46-50, He pointed to His disciples and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” This highlights a spiritual family based on shared faith and commitment to God’s will.
3. What does Jesus mean by saying we should “hate” our family members in Luke 14:26?
In Luke 14:26, when Jesus says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple,” He uses hyperbolic language to stress that following Him must be our highest priority. He’s not advocating actual hatred but emphasizing that our commitment to Him should surpass all other relationships.
4. How should we balance our family responsibilities and spiritual commitments?
Balancing family responsibilities and spiritual commitments involves:
- Prioritizing Faith: Keep your relationship with God central.
- Open Communication: Discuss your spiritual life with your family to seek mutual support and understanding.
- Living Authentically: Let your faith guide how you treat your family and others, setting an example of love and service.
5. What role does love play in Jesus’s teachings about family?
Love is the cornerstone of Jesus’s teachings on family. He commanded us to love one another as He loves us (John 13:34) and demonstrated this through His parables, like the Prodigal Son, which shows a father’s unconditional love and forgiveness. Jesus calls us to extend this love to our family members and to the broader community.
6. How did Jesus expand the concept of family?
Jesus expanded the concept of family to include all who follow God’s will. In Matthew 12:46-50, He identified His disciples as His family, emphasizing spiritual kinship. He also taught us to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:39), urging us to see everyone as part of God’s family.
7. What are some practical ways to build strong family bonds based on Jesus’s teachings?
To build strong family bonds based on Jesus’s teachings:
- Show Honor and Respect: Value and support your parents and family members.
- Practice Forgiveness: Be quick to forgive and reconcile, following the example of the forgiving father in the Prodigal Son story.
- Love Unconditionally: Embrace and love your family members unconditionally, as Jesus loves you.
8. How does the Church view family in the context of Jesus’s teachings?
The Church views family in a broad sense, including both biological families and the community of believers. Early Christians referred to fellow believers as brothers and sisters, reflecting the spiritual kinship Jesus advocated. Paul, in Galatians 6:10, encouraged doing good to all, especially those within the faith community, underscoring the idea of the Church as a family.
9. Did Jesus ever talk about conflicts within families?
Yes, Jesus acknowledged that His teachings might cause divisions within families. In Matthew 10:34-36, He said, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” He explained that following Him might lead to conflict with those who do not share the same faith. This doesn’t advocate for family strife but recognizes the challenges of prioritizing spiritual commitments.
10. How can we extend the concept of family to our broader community?
To extend the concept of family to the broader community:
- Engage in Community: Get involved in your church or community groups to build relationships with others.
- Support One Another: Be present for others in times of need, just as you would for your immediate family.
- Show Compassion: Treat everyone with kindness and love, viewing them as part of God’s larger family.
11. What did Jesus teach about children and their place in the family?
Jesus valued children highly, often using them as examples of faith and purity. In Matthew 19:14, He said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” He taught that children have an essential place in God’s kingdom and should be welcomed and nurtured within the family.
12. Can you summarize Jesus’s key teachings on family in one sentence?
Jesus taught that while we should honor and love our immediate families, our true family encompasses all who follow God’s will, urging us to extend love and compassion to everyone we meet.
