family tension

Do you ever get stressed out by family stuff? Sometimes we get this idea that once you become a Christian, Jesus just automatically takes care of all that family tension and your relational stress just floats away... (yeah right).

And yet the New Testament gives us pretty strong indications that there was even sarcasm, jealousy and negativity in the "Holy Family".

For example, there’s a SNAPSHOT of this in the Gospel of John. It’s at a point where Jesus is very early in his ministry. Jesus and family grew up in the town called Nazareth, up in the Galilee region. And early on, Jesus is just starting to go around to some of these little nearby towns to teach and do miracles.

But there’s also this huge event coming up. It’s called the “Feast of Tabernacles”. It’s one of the big Festivals that all the Jews would go to. And people from all over Israel, and all over the world would come to Jerusalem for this big celebration.

Look closely at how the half-brothers of Jesus treated him. (John 7:2-5) “But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”

Do you see how they’re mocking Jesus. They’re making fun of him. Can you sense the family tension?

So next time you get stressed out because of your relatives…just remember that even Jesus had family problems. And he was… (uh) Jesus!

So why should we expect our family stuff to be any easier?