The Siblings of Jesus




Introduction

To grow up as an only child can be rough as the child has no one to relate to for brothers and sisters. Sometimes parents will over-compensate this singleness by showering the child with more material gifts than is necessary.

Children grow up with friends and extended family; but to have siblings, who live in the same house as you, are a priceless treasure. Jesus had brothers and sisters that he grew up with in his household contrary to what certain religious beliefs say on the subject.
Born of a Virgin

It’s no secret that Jesus was born of a virgin woman. Both OT and NT confirm this. In Isaiah 7:14, Then he said, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Some, incorrectly, interpret ‘virgin’ as ‘young girl’. There is no proof that Mary was a young girl so we have to conclude that it means, ‘she didn’t know a man’; know in the carnal sense.

In Mt. 1:18-25, this fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 7 and also proves that Mary had not been with a man before she married Joseph. Further proof of this can be found in Luke 1:34 which states, Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"



Mary’s Perpetual Virginity?

There are those who believe that Jesus was an only child and that, after she had given birth to him, she remained a virgin to her dying day. It is referred to as a perpetual virginity and here’s Webster’s definition of Perpetual: 1. Continuing forever 2. Lasting an indefinitely long time.

If she remained a virgin after Jesus’ birth, then an explanation of Mk. 6:3 is needed, “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” Some will disprove this by stating that these were Jesus’ cousins (children of Mary’s sister). By why would they reference another woman’s children in this scene? Read Verses 1-6 to get the whole picture. Mt. 13:55-56 also mentions Jesus’ brothers and sisters. Commentary found on this subject is referenced below:


People’s New Testament Commentary (Jn. 2:12)
    
Catholics and some Protestants have held that these "brethren" were not brothers in the flesh, but kinsmen. The phrase, "his brethren," occurs nine times in the Gospels, and once in Acts. The natural interpretation is always that they were his brothers, sons of Mary. Two places (Mt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3) mention his sisters. Had it not been for the dogma that Mary remained a virgin, a dogma that has no foundation in the Scriptures, it would never have been doubted that these "brethren" and "sisters" were her children.



 The purpose of a perpetual virginity for Mary is to show that she would be sinless; thereby allowing people to worship her in addition to God and Jesus. There's no proof that Mary was sinless to before she was pregnant with Jesus and there's no scripture to support that she remained a virgin afterwards.





Brothers and Sisters of Christ

In the spiritual sense, we are all brothers and sisters of Jesus who are called Christians. Not born of Mary; nor of a virgin, but adopted by God through the blood Jesus Christ.

Paul affirms this in Romans 8:16-17, The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Paul further writes in 2 Corinthians 6:18, "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." What a wonderful thought; to be considered a brother of sister of Jesus, and to have an opportunity to live eternally with him and the Father!

Your spiritual family, those you assemble with (at your local congregation), can be a stronger support to you than any blood relation you might have. To those who are an only child, you have the brothers and sisters of the entire planet to support you in a time of crisis, or when you simply feel alone or left out.



Conclusion

It’s true when they say ‘Blood is thicker than water’, meaning that family will be stronger than friends. But also, that your spiritual family is stronger still in that they know just what you are going through; can relate and sympathize in that they have gone through similar ordeals.

Paul writes in Galatians 6:1-2, Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. We should always be there for our spiritual brethren just as fleshly family is there for each other.

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