Thought on Jesus and his earthly family

Jesus' family did not believe in Him until he died and rose again from the dead. In the Gospels we see that Jesus' brothers and relatives and mother went around town to'collect' Jesus while he was in ministry, because they thought he had gone mad. They thought he was insane. Gospel of John makes it clear that his brothers did not believe in him, but only urged Him to get out into the world so that they could benefit from his fame. Jesus also never received much reception from the people of Nazareth, from his home town.

Likewise us Christians probably have the hardest time having a spiritual influence over our family members or preaching the Gospel to them. Mostly, this is because we are so familiar to them, that their eyes cannot see past our flesh to see our inner man. Also unlike Jesus, we also have multitude of sins that we probably reveal to them as we live and eat with them, that causes more stumbling-blocks for them. However, we take heart from Jesus, that though He was still completely sinless, and was a good moral example, that didn't make his family members see past his flesh to see the Spirit of God that was within Him. Familiarity bred contempt.

But Jesus' family became believers after when? After Jesus died and rose again. His family members saw the shock of the cross, and the even more shock of the resurrection. It was only then that they saw this this was no ordinary man. This was God incarnate. This was the Christ, the King. They finally believed.

Likewise, perhaps to win over our family with spiritual influence or for the Gospel we ought to die. Instead of just preaching to them, which may never get through to them, we probably ought to show constant denial of self, and sacrificial love for them. That is perhaps the only way to win over them. We must die for them. We must live to God, before them. That is the only way perhaps they will perceive Jesus in us. They are so familiar with us and know of all our faults. But when they see how we die to self and live for God and for them, they may be changed. Let us be crucified before them, so that they may see through their perception of us, and their hearts be converted.