Take Up Your CrossSample

Family Opinion

It is one thing to find out that a complete stranger has a low opinion of you, it is quite another when your family rejects you. A stranger’s opinion is much easier to ignore.

Our families have access to accurate details about our lives. They know our backstories intimately, having shared much of them firsthand. Family members’ opinions often carry such weight that we can find ourselves remembering comments they made decades later.

Shortly after Jesus began His ministry, huge crowds began to follow Him everywhere. As Mark 3:20-21 records the scene, Jesus’ own family thought He was crazy. I’m sure their concern for Him was well intentioned; perhaps they wanted to tell him, “Slow down a bit Jesus. Rest. Eat. Don’t work so hard.” It would have been natural for Jesus to have been tempted to listen to them, yet when He learns (in verse 33) that they are outside looking for him He didn’t let it phase Him. He stayed focused.

Just because we are following the will of God, doesn’t mean that everyone who is important to us will agree with what we are doing. They might think we are crazy and, motivated by genuine love and concern, might attempt to use their influence to prevent our obedience.

Often the tension caused by disapproving family members can have a cooling effect on our passion. If Jesus felt the tension, He didn’t show it. He knew that the approval of his heavenly Father was more important than the approval of His earthly family. He knew where His loyalties lay.

If family members are making your Christian journey difficult, take heart. Jesus’ earthly family didn’t always agree with his path, either. But His heavenly Father did, and that’s what mattered most.

Have you ever felt God leading you in a direction that someone close to you disagreed with?

What elements of Jesus’ life do you think helped Him to choose to obey the will of His heavenly Father, over His earthly family?

For more help listen to, “From Tragedy to Testimony” on FamilyLifeToday.com.