October 23, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 13:54-58
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 24:10-25:10; Matthew 16:13-28
“Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” (Matthew 13:54b-56)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
After the beloved Christmas stories and Jesus in the temple as a young boy, there are only a few places in the Gospels where we get hints at Jesus’ earthly family. This is one of them. Whether the words “brothers and sisters” here refer to Jesus’ biological half-siblings or more generally to His disciples and friends (both meanings are possible), the point is that most people thought Jesus had a “normal” family—that He had been born in the natural way. Luke 3 shows us this assumption: “Jesus, when He began His ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph…”
In our passage the problem is simply being associated with Jesus, whether they’re technically related to Him or not. It’s as if Jesus’ critics are saying, “Wait a minute. We know this guy’s family! We know where he’s from! How can He possibly be doing the works of God?” Has that ever happened to you? Perhaps you’ve had to follow in an older sibling’s footsteps, for better or worse. Maybe one of your teachers remembers teaching one of your parents! (No? Just me?) It’s sort of like “guilt by association”—in this case, the fact that Jesus’ earthly family is well-known means that Jesus can’t actually be from God… or so they think.
It is an incredible thing to think about: God took on flesh and was born into an earthly family. But that doesn’t mean Jesus is “just some carpenter’s son”! No, God beheld our broken families, our sibling rivalries, our humble origins from this or that little town, and entered into it with us and for us. He became part of our earthly families so that we by faith might be adopted into His eternal heavenly family. You’re not technically related to Him—at least not by earthly standards. But in the kingdom of God, sons and daughters by adoption are no less than sons and daughters by birth. Read these verses again and add your own names. Are not Jesus’ brothers _____ and ______? And are not His sisters, ______ and _______ here with us? Yes. By faith, dear Christians, yes, you are.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Heavenly Father, shepherd of Your people, You raised up James the Just, brother of our Lord, to lead and guide Your Church. Grant that we may follow his example of prayer and reconciliation and be strengthened by the witness of his death; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Buffalo, WY.
Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.
