The Black Sheep of the Family

Every family has a "black sheep."
You know him (or her). He might be the crazy uncle who makes everyone nervous because they don't know what he's going to do next (and neither does he). She might be the sister who has no problem sharing what she's thinking with the rest of the world, because she seems to have no "filter" on her speech. Every family has that person. Every family has felt embarrassment at some point because of that person's actions.

Maybe they are also the person who, when you meet new people, you never really tell others about. It's better if you don't get on "that subject." Maybe when you find out they are coming to visit you for the weekend, you have to take a deep breath and remind yourself that "it's only for a few days," and then they will be gone. Maybe you even talk to other people about how that person is the "black sheep," and you excuse them by using words very similar to the ones I started with: "You know, every family has one."

And they do. They are inconvenient to have to deal with. They just aren't like the rest of us.

In the Bible, we read about a family who had a "black sheep," and he was completely out of their control. It had started when he was a little boy, with him separating himself from the rest of the family (1). He was always hanging out with the wrong people (2). Eventually he started attracting crowds because of the things he was saying and doing (3). That must have been REALLY embarrassing to the family. After all, no one in their right mind would do such things to call attention to himself. He always seemed to be making a scene.

Finally, they decide that enough is enough. They set out to grab him, to have an intervention (4). They want to bring him back to his senses. He's just gone too far. But it doesn't work (5). Eventually, the relationship becomes strained, and they try to shame him into being more like them (6). Sadly, his antics would cost him his life (7).

Who was the man? Maybe you've already guessed.

Jesus.

Of course, Jesus wasn't really a "black sheep." He was far from it. Actually, as lambs go, he was white, spotless and pure (cf. 1 Peter 1:19). Unfortunately, his family didn't treat him that way. If anything, they were ashamed of him.

How are you treating Christ in your life? How do you present him to others? Is he the family member you are proud of, and want to talk about? Or his he the "black sheep" you try to avoid bringing up?

Think about it.

-Daniel

Scripture Footnotes:
(1) Luke 2:41-45; (2) Mark 2:15; (3) Mark 3:7-8; (4) Mark 3:21; (5) Mark 3:33-35; (6) John 7:3-5; (7) John 11:47-53