21 He replied, My mother and brothers are those who hear God s word and put it into practice.

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1 February 3, 2019 SCRIPTURE Luke 8: Now Jesus mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you. 21 He replied, My mother and brothers are those who hear God s word and put it into practice. James 2:17 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. COMMENTARY Luke 8:19-21 Luke used the following story to conclude this section (8:1 21) on Jesus teaching in parables. It is found earlier in Mark, but Luke chose to include it here because it forms an excellent conclusion to his teaching concerning the hearing of God s word and in particular hearing God s word in Jesus parables. In our passage Luke seeks to inform his readers that belonging to Jesus family is not a matter of physical kinship (cf. John 1:13 of natural descent ) but of hearing and doing God s word. 8:19 Now Jesus mother and brothers came to see him. In the history of the church there have been three main explanations about who the brothers of Jesus were. (1) The Helvidian view argues that they were the subsequent sons (and daughters, cf. Mark 6:3) of Joseph and Mary. (2) The Epiphanian view argues that they were the sons (and daughters) of Joseph via an earlier marriage in which the wife died, i.e., Jesus older

2 step-brothers and step-sisters. (3) The Hieronymian view (the view of Jerome) argues that they were the cousins of Jesus, i.e., the term brothers is being used figuratively. The first view best explains the biblical data. Wherever Jesus went, the Twelve followed him. So did the faithful women. His own family did not. They came occasionally to check on him. They found someone else following Jesus crowds so dense you could not penetrate them in any way to get to Jesus, even if you had family credentials. 8:20 This should not be interpreted metaphorically, as designating that they were outside the believing community, but literally. They wanted to visit with Jesus (cf. met in Acts 16:40, which is the same Greek word). 8:21 My mother and brothers can be interpreted in two ways: (1) Do you see my mother and brothers out there? They are the ones who hear ; (2) My real mother and brothers are not my physical kin but those who In the context of Luke 8:15, 18, where Luke emphasized how one should hear God s word and that those who heed the word are the good soil, it seems that (2), which is addressed to the hearers in general, is the best translation. This would also agree with the interpretation of this saying found in Mark 3:35; Matt 12:50; and GT 99; and with Luke 11:28 (cf. also 14:26; 18:29 30). The lack of the Greek article, i.e., a the before mother and brothers, also favors (2), for this indicates that the group being referred to was a less specific group than the mother and the brothers of Jesus. Someone did pass the signal. Jesus learned of his family s presence. His response shocked them and us. Have you been listening? Blood relationship does not prove you are listening to God s Word. My sole task is to make people listen to the Word of God and live it out. These people do not qualify. I must keep teaching those who do. I follow my own teachings. I forsake family for the sake of the kingdom (18:29). I form a new family around the Word of God. Those ties are stronger than any physical ties can ever be. My relatives imitate me in obeying God. For us this is a freeing comment. Nothing in our physical birth or environment determines our relationship to God only our response to his Word. In regard to, Those who hear God s word and put it into practice, compare Luke 6:47; 11:28. This is the climax of 8:1 21. For Luke, as well as James, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (Jas 2:17). The Lukan Message The main point of our passage is found in Luke 8:21, which serves as a summary for the entire section that began in 8:1. Even as Luke through the preaching of John the Baptist in 3:7 14 pointed out that salvation does not come through a sacramental act, so here he pointed out that it does not come through birth or the circumstance of having heard the gospel. To have heard God s word is of no value (8:4 7, 11 14) unless accompanied by faith. Yet that faith is of no value, as 8:13 reveals, unless it is a faith that puts God s word into practice (8:21). Earlier Luke described this kind of faith as a

3 faith with a noble and good heart which perseveres (8:15). The gospel must be responded to in faith, but saving faith is more than mere intellectual assent. True faith endures. It perseveres. It puts into practice the teachings of that faith. Luke believed that we are indeed saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone. This faith is accompanied by action (Jas 2:17), expresses itself through love (cf. Gal 5:6), and puts God s word into practice (Luke 8:21). James 2:17 2:17. Verse 17 concludes the matter. Good wishes consisting of mere talk are empty of all reality and lifeless. Offering only good wishes to the cold and the hungry serves to depress further those who are starving and chilled. They need more than good wishes. They need practical help. A faith not accompanied by action, that is faith alone, having no works to distinguish it, is dead. Anything with life produces fruit. The living are the acting, creating things that reveal their nature and character. Faith in Jesus produces actions revealing the nature and character of Jesus. The dead lie still doing nothing. So faith that lies still, inactive, proves it is dead. True faith brings salvation and life, not death. MAIN POINT Following Jesus requires that we obey what God teaches in His Word. INTRODUCTION As your group time begins, use this section to introduce the topic of discussion. Is there anything unique that being part of your particular family entitles you to (i.e., your dad is a dentist so you get free dental work, your son works at the movie theater so you get discounted tickets, etc.)? These days, many people believe they are inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment for no particular reason. How does an attitude of entitlement cause problems? Do you think there s such a thing as spiritual entitlement? Explain. In today s passage, Jesus used the issue of entitlement to teach us something about what it means to really follow Him. Belonging to His family isn t a matter of physical kinship. Further, a mere profession of belief even if it is orthodox and sincere is not enough. A hearing faith is not a saving faith. A saving faith is a doing faith; it flows from a vital relationship with Christ, whose transformation of our lives overflows into our actions.

4 UNDERSTANDING Unpack the biblical text to discover what the Scripture says or means about a particular topic. Ask a volunteer to read Luke 8: Without reading too much into the text (we don t know what Mary and Jesus brothers wanted at this time), what is the difference between wanting to see Jesus and wanting to follow Him? What do you think Jesus mother and brothers might have expected from Jesus when they showed up? What do you think some people who show up at church without ever really following Jesus might expect from Him? What problem is there with those kinds of expectations? According to Jesus, who are the people He counts as members of His family? What does this tell you about saving faith? How would you answer someone who says they believe good people deserve to go to heaven? In chapter 8, Luke recounted a parable and illustration about the difference between hearing and listening (8:1-18). He followed these teachings with this account of Jesus family coming to visit Him and not being able to see Him because of the crowds. Apparently, Jesus family sent word to let Him know they were there. The insinuated expectation was that Jesus should clear the path for them because of the familial relationship they shared. Regardless of Mary and the brothers intentions, Jesus used the opportunity to teach another object lesson. Relationship with Jesus requires more than physical descent or even showing some affinity for Him. Saving faith comes to those who, turning to Jesus in faith, choose to follow Him not just hearing His teachings, but obeying His commands. Ask a volunteer to read James 2:17. What connection can be made between Luke 8:21 and James 2:17? James went so far as to say that faith without works is dead. What did he mean by this, and how do you react to that statement? Have you ever been guilty of talking a good game of faith while being reluctant to follow through with concrete actions? Describe the situation. How do James s words here help us guard against spiritual entitlement?

5 The kind of faith that does not demonstrate itself with action is meaningless inwardly lifeless and outwardly unproductive. If all we do is talk about having faith, we do not have saving faith. We can know and use all the right religious words, but without compassionate actions, our words count for nothing. Our words are not enough. Effective faith is always validated by the works of love that flow from it. APPLICATION Help your group identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives. What are some reasons why people might feel entitled to spiritual blessings? What is an area of your life where you hear God s Word, but struggle to do it? How can this group help each other continue to grow in the authenticity of our faith in Christ? PRAYER Thank God for His grace that saves you. Acknowledge that you can t earn His favor. Ask Him to help you hear and do His Word.