Family

 But he answered them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."
Luke 8:21 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.8.21.ESV

Jesus, the humble carpenter turned teacher, was becoming like a celebrity of His day. They say familiarity breeds contempt, and that seems to be why they wanted to see Him. They wanted Him to come back down to earth.

Jesus's response was shocking for His culture. He seemed disrespectful of His mother and brothers, refusing to even acknowledge them. Yet He knew that there's something more important than family.

More important than family is to do the will of God. How do we know what God wants? By hearing from His word, the Bible.

God demands our loyalties above and beyond our families. If loving God requires us to disown our families/be disowned by them, then sobeit. Eternal reward is worth temporary pain.

'Almighty God, may we obey You as we ought, even if it costs us family relationships. In Jesus' powerful name, amen'

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