Family...
Matthew 12:46-50
46 He was still speaking to the crowd when his mother and brothers appeared outside, asking to talk with him. 47 48 But to the one who had informed him he replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his talmidim (disciples/students), he said, “Look! Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants, that person is my brother and sister and mother.”
If you notice, verse 47 has nothing after it... In some manuscripts the following is put:
Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, asking to talk with you.”
From what I have read and investigated, when there are verses "missing" from certain translations, it is because there isn't enough evidence that they were in the original writings. It is believed that sometimes the verses were added later.
I have found that there is often contempt and frustration over these situations. People become upset because a certain translation "left out a verse." It is, and excuse this word but it is the only one I could think of, "annoying" to me when people focus on this type of frivolous argument. If the verse was not in an original manuscript, than maybe it should not be included.
This blog is not for arguments like this, but I just want to say that we so often get "stuck" in what we were "taught" that we don't stop to think that maybe it isn't actually correct. We stick to "this is what the Bible says" based on what we learned growing up, and we don't stop to think that maybe we learned the wrong things.
Jesus, in the passage above, spoke about this a little bit. Family is highly important because the commandments make it clear that we are to "honor our father and mother." Torah teaches that when we bless our children and do right to our parents than our lives will be long.
In the Words Jesus spoke, however, He challenges the crowds to think about who their family is. He actually made "family" bigger. The community around us is also family.
Society today has changed family dynamics. No longer are we focused working together around the farm and table. Communities do not hold the same authority that they did in days past. People travel an hour or more away to work. Families are falling apart. Children do not have the same work ethics due to technology and other influences. The world has changed.
The Words Jesus spoke above should encourage us to know that there is family for us. Once we join His followers, His community surrounds us. We need to be there for one another. We need to encourage one another. If family has "abandoned" you, there should be a spiritual family waiting to support you.
Don't focus on what "isn't" in the Word. Focus on what IS. Focus on the Promises HE made you. Be a part of what should be happening - spreading HIS Love and Light to a dark and broken world.
Love and blessings,
Rose
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