Jesus' Mother and Brothers - Matthew 12:46-49
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Reflection: In today's reading Jesus gives us three very important teachings about discipleship. First, though our immediately family is important and we are to love and honor them, we are also called to be part of the family of God. Though we put our families at a high priority, they are never higher than our relationship with Christ. Secondly, other disciples are our brothers and sisters, including our little brothers and sisters (children and infants). We are the family of God, when one part suffers we all suffer. That is why it is important to care for and pray for other Christians around the world, especially those suffering persecution in places like Haiti and China.
Finally, importantly Jesus says a disciple is someone who does the will of the Father. Just obedience to our earthly parents was important growing up, so is obedience to our Heavenly Father. We are not Christians in name only but we show our faith by the words we use and the deeds we do. Notice we don't do these things to prove we are a Christian, but because we are Christians. What we do and say flows out of our relationship with God through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our obedience flows out of our identity.
Once in a while I will cuss using one of the various words used for doing such a thing. To be honest sometimes it feels good for a second, then I remember who I am and more importantly whose I am and realize talking like this is out alignment with God's will for my life and character. Of course none of us are perfect yet, we sin every day by the things we do and fail to do; but the more we understand God's grace and who we are called as part of His holy family, the more we will align ourselves with God's will in our words and actions.
Brother or sister in Christ, I hope you have a good day today. Let's remember to pray for each other! We are the body of Christ, the family of God! We need each other. Amen.
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Reflection: In today's reading Jesus gives us three very important teachings about discipleship. First, though our immediately family is important and we are to love and honor them, we are also called to be part of the family of God. Though we put our families at a high priority, they are never higher than our relationship with Christ. Secondly, other disciples are our brothers and sisters, including our little brothers and sisters (children and infants). We are the family of God, when one part suffers we all suffer. That is why it is important to care for and pray for other Christians around the world, especially those suffering persecution in places like Haiti and China.
Finally, importantly Jesus says a disciple is someone who does the will of the Father. Just obedience to our earthly parents was important growing up, so is obedience to our Heavenly Father. We are not Christians in name only but we show our faith by the words we use and the deeds we do. Notice we don't do these things to prove we are a Christian, but because we are Christians. What we do and say flows out of our relationship with God through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our obedience flows out of our identity.
Once in a while I will cuss using one of the various words used for doing such a thing. To be honest sometimes it feels good for a second, then I remember who I am and more importantly whose I am and realize talking like this is out alignment with God's will for my life and character. Of course none of us are perfect yet, we sin every day by the things we do and fail to do; but the more we understand God's grace and who we are called as part of His holy family, the more we will align ourselves with God's will in our words and actions.
Brother or sister in Christ, I hope you have a good day today. Let's remember to pray for each other! We are the body of Christ, the family of God! We need each other. Amen.
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