And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! (Mark 3.33-34)

As Christians we can readily anticipate opposition and conflict from those outside of our fellowship. We expect persecution to our witness. We know that there are men and women hostile to the gospel of Jesus Christ and our relationship to Jesus is despised and dangerous. But it is more difficult and more surprising when we encounter conflict inside the fellowship of believers. How can it be that we, the people of God, His sons and daughters who have each personally experienced absolute forgiveness, can be so unforgiving, so vengeful, so “family”?

Why do we struggle with those within the family of God who try to mother us? Men and women within the fellowship of God who see their role in our lives as stewards and mentors without our assent. We face conflict with our brothers and sisters because each of us has a dream and vision of a more Christ-centered future and we are unable to share our aspirations together. Sadly and too often, our sibling rivalries cast our God-callings against each other.

Jesus struggled with this too. Jesus our Lord and Sovereign is also Jesus the brother and son. He was misunderstood by his mother—his mother who loved him dearly and raised him—and he experienced a conflict of vision with his brothers—who saw the dangerous path their older brother was taking—and came to “rescue” him from himself.

Conflict within the body of Christ is inevitable as long as we stand on this side of eternity, but we can rest assured that our Divine Lord understands our struggles because He is Jesus the brother and son.

Jesus, help me live within Your family in a way that brings You glory and strengthens the calling You’ve given me.