This Sunday brings us Mother’s Day. And whether your mother is alive or dead, known or unknown, she’s your mother. We all have one and we wouldn’t be here without her.

My Master had a special relationship with His mother. She bore him by the miraculous power of God, brought Him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and shared Him with the world, for which he suffered and bled and died. No one else had a relationship with Jesus quite like Mary did. And yet, Mary knew that Jesus did not just belong to her…

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Matthew 12:46-50

According to the text, Jesus was teaching when His mother and half-siblings came to see Him. The Lord used that opportunity to remind His audience (including we who read the words today) that though Mary and His family were special to him, there was a greater relationship to enjoy. Jesus came, not just to be the son of Mary, but to be the savior of the world. Who is His family? Not (just) Mary, or his brothers or sisters, but everyone who does the will of God.

Those who obey God are Jesus’ family because Jesus’ family is tied with bonds greater than human blood. Jesus was born of Mary and God after all. His earthly family is bound to him through Mary’s blood (his half-brothers and sisters), but His blood is also Divine. Jesus’ spiritual family is tied to Him through His Divine blood.

I am not a son of Mary, but I obeyed Jesus and washed washed in His blood. That makes me a son of God (1 John 3:1). I’ve been adopted, not into Mary’s family, but into God’s family (Romans 8:15).

Who is my mother, brothers and sisters? They are the family I have in God, not the family I have on earth. Blood is thicker than water, the saying goes. And that’s true, but the blood of Christ is thicker than all.