'For this purpose I have been sent.'

Lk 4:43 NKJV

After going home to a cool reception Jesus said, 'A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own home town' (Mk 6:4 TLB). In other places He was considered a hero, but not here. 'His family... thought he was out of his mind' (Mk 3:21 NCV). So how did Jesus handle His family? It's worth noting that He didn't try to control their behavior, nor did He let their behavior control His. He loved them, but He didn't demand that they always agree with Him. He didn't sulk or retaliate when they insulted Him. And He didn't make it His mission in life to try and please them. If your family is making it difficult for you to serve the Lord, observe three things about Jesus: (1) He recognized that His spiritual family could provide what His physical family didn't. That's why we need the support and stability that comes from the fellowship in a local church. (2) He didn't let the difficult dynamic of family overshadow His call from God. Your family may not understand or agree, but you can't let that keep you from doing what God's called you to do. (3) He refused to let the opinion of the crowd dictate His direction. The whole town of Capernaum 'tried to keep Him from leaving them' (Lk 4:42 NKJV). But He resisted the undertow of people by anchoring to the rock of His purpose: to build God's kingdom, not His own. Imagine the whole town wanting you to stay, and leaving. Could all those people be wrong? Yes! Jesus followed the will of God. And you must too.