Mark 6:3 “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

I find it very interesting that Jesus had brothers named James, Judas, and Simon, as well as close disciples with those same names. Of course, James and Judas (Jude) are most famous, because they both contributed letters to the New Testament, but regardless of that, this was not a small family. Jesus learned a lot by being a big brother! I find it a pity that His sisters aren’t named, just mentioned. All of that said, the people saying this thought they knew all about Jesus because they knew His family, and they pegged Him as a carpenter/craftsman, not as the Son of God. For that matter, even His own siblings didn’t believe in Him until after His resurrection. Familiarity indeed breeds contempt! The thing is, we need to recognize when God is talking to us, regardless of who He uses to do it. That can be difficult! The most extreme example in the Bible is when Balaam’s donkey talked to him, (Numbers 22) but we encounter people who don’t seem far removed from that. The point for us is in learning to hear God whatever the medium. For many years RCA Victor used a picture of a Dalmatian dog with his head cocked to the side, listening to a phonograph, with the caption, “His master’s voice.” There are countless voices speaking to us all the time, and we need to be so familiar with the Bible that we recognize when God is using something else to speak to us, because He will never contradict the Bible. The Internet is a virtual tsunami of information, and hearing God in all the noise is a challenge indeed. However, if we are submitted to His Spirit, He will give us the discernment we need. Going back to the passage, it is the height of wasted opportunity that these people couldn’t see and hear past Jesus’ physical background. We need to be wiser than they were!

It has occurred to both my wife and me to wonder how we will be received on our upcoming trip to the US. There are some who have contacted us, wanting to see us because they know we walk with the Lord and they are eager to hear Him through us. There are others we don’t expect to respond that way. We are to be faithful, listening to God ourselves and allowing Him to speak through us as He likes, not being puffed up or presumptuous, but simply available. As Paul said, we are no more than clay pots, (2 Corinthians 4:7) but the treasure within us is real.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the help from our son-in-law yesterday in locating a place to stay in Louisville, and that I could make that reservation. Learning how to do things with my cellphone rather than my computer isn’t comfortable for me, but I know You want me to keep growing! Thank You for speaking through me in the service yesterday, and for how You already have everything lined up for our future. That’s exactly what You had me speak on! Help Cathy and me indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You, so that Your purposes may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!