"Blood is thicker than water."

"This means that our family ties--we're related by blood--are the strongest ties we have, stronger than any friendships or relationships. ... Family defends, family honors, family sacrifices for one another. This is part of what is good and noble about family.

...there's an account ... where Jesus seems to dismiss this. Jesus is with the religious hierarchy, "the scribes and Pharisees"--known for their righteousness, their rules, and their hypocrisy ... Jesus is flagged that His mother and brothers are outside wanting to talk with Him, but He replies--somewhat rudely: "Who is My mother, and who are My brothers? And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, 'Here are My mother and brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother'" (Matt. 12:48-50).

All that is praiseworthy about family loyalty, Jesus seems to disregard in one fell swoop, in one broad swath of His hand. But is Jesus simply brushing them off--His own mother and brothers--and discounting their importance in His life? On the surface, it might look like it; but it cannot be so. ...

And yet there is something more. In Jesus' mind, there is something more important than family; there is a higher priority, a closer tie. "Blood is thicker than water," yes. But FAITH is thicker than blood" (if I can play with the phrase a bit). And so, Jesus doesn't dismiss, but he does deflect. He doesn't answer directly; He redirects. Family is vitally important, yes. But REAL family is something different.

Faith is what makes true family." -John N. Day, Senior pastor Bellewood Presbyterian Church. From his article in the July/August issue of "Modern Reformation".