Happy Pi Day (if you are reading this on the day it is posted). I have been going through quite a week when it comes to family over the last few days, but in the meantime I have been reading the book of Luke. This book touched me on a significant level because it highlighted one thing: Family. Family is complicated—Jesus knew this better than anyone. Let’s explore this concept through the teachings I’ve found in the first few days I’ve read the book of Luke.
Redefining Family
I wanted to make this post to highlight a simple point I’m not sure everybody hears enough. It actually comes straight from a part of Luke that I have noticed repeated in the last two gospels:
Luke 8:21 “Obedience is thicker than blood.”
This comes from a time where Jesus is public speaking and his mother and siblings try to talk to him. He responds by saying those who hear God’s word and do it are his mother and brothers. Essentially, Jesus is teaching that those who are on your spiritual path can become your “found family.” In historical context, this fundamentally challenged the social norms of the time, where bloodlines determined everything from social standing to inheritance.
Jesus’s Own Complex Family Structure
Luke goes into remarkable depth about Jesus’s origin story. It starts with Elizabeth and Zechariah receiving news about John the Baptist’s birth. Shortly after, Angel Gabriel tells Mary she will be a virgin mother to Jesus. They have opposite reactions: Zechariah questioned God and was struck mute, while Mary was “Blessed among women” and embraced her unique calling.
Jesus’s family structure was anything but conventional. His biological parents are Mary and “The Father” (God), but he was raised by Mary and his stepfather, Joseph. The people who celebrated his birth weren’t extended family, but wise men and various travelers who recognized the significance of the Messiah.
By the way, if you want a baby name for a boy inspired by biblical genealogy, Luke 3:23-38 traces Jesus’s lineage all the way back to Adam.
Creating Family Through Community.
But as Jesus said, “Obedience is thicker than blood.” His chosen family—his disciples— came from vastly different backgrounds. Tax collectors, fishermen, zealots–people who would normally avoid each other–became a tight-knit community. Luke uniquely emphasizes Jesus’s women followers including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna (Luke 8:1-3), which was revolutionary for that time.
Jesus brought together people from all walks of life to create a family structure where they supported one another while traveling through Israel. They shared countless meals together, and Jesus frequently used these table gatherings to form community with unlikely people–creating sacred space for connection regardless of social status.
The Heartbreak Within Family
One aspect that Luke doesn’t shy away from is betrayal. I’m now in my third gospel and I’ve seen this line repeated:
Luke 6:12-16 “…Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”
When we view the disciples as Jesus’s “found family”, this betrayal becomes one of the greatest tragedies of Jesus’s life. He knew he was going to die and knew Judas would betray him, yet in his heart, Judas remained family to him. This illustrates the complexity and sometimes painful reality of family relationships.
What This Means For Us Today
The beautiful thing about Jesus’s teachings on family is that they create space for everyone–those blessed with supportive biological families and those who have had to create chosen families of their own. The parable for the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) further illustrates how reconciliation and unconditional love can heal family wounds, while the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) shows how we can extend family-like care beyond traditional boundaries.
Family, in all its forms, remains a critical support system. Some of us find that support primarily in our biological families, others in chosen families, and many in some combination of both. What matters is cultivating relationships characterized by the tolerance, understanding, and forgiveness that Jesus modeled.
In today’s world we live in family structures that are increasingly diverse—blended families, single-parent households, multigenerational homes, chosen families and traditional nuclear families all coexisting—Jesus’s inclusive vision of community feels particularly relevant. Whether your family is traditional, unconventional, or somewhere in between, the values of mutual support, understanding, and love transcend specific structures.
As we navigate our own complex family relationships, may we remember the peace that comes from creating genuine community:
“Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on Earth who please him.” – Luke 2:14
I’d like to hear your thoughts in the comments: Which of the teachings of Jesus in regards to family resonates the most with your experience?
Syd Weldon 
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