THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 3:31-35
“Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35)
Jesus loves all people, His creation family and His biological family.
But he has a special place in His heart for those who obey God’s will.
Technically, except for Adam and Eve before they sinned, that is… no one.
We all fall short of fulfilling God’s will for our lives.
But Jesus is announcing good news, that by grace all people can be welcome.
God’s will is that those who repent, trust Jesus, and follow Him, will be accepted.
Look at the rag tag bunch of people gathered around Him, what do they have in common?
They have all responded with humility and hope in Jesus.
And He is training them to join Him in spreading the good news of grace around the world.
This is God’s will, that we admit our failure, trust His mercy, and follow Jesus.
Those who do this have a special place in Jesus’ heart; but why?
Because these are the missionary family who will bless His creation and biological families.
Those who know and show God’s grace will love and serve all people, and help them back to God.
This is Jesus’ mission, and all who join Him have a special place in His heart.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, it’s not problem for me to admit my sinful heart and my need for mercy. Thank You for wanting me to be a part of Your missionary family, that together we can bless our creation family.
Observation/Application
Family.
Family is important today because it demonstrates love, loyality, kindness, helpfulness, belonging, protection, safety, binding togetherness, . . . . and we know that this relationship can also be broken. But God’s family, His love is everpresent, unconditional. He is the source of all relationships and His love binds us together. Remember the lost sheep, the prodigal son, the lost coin? Our Father offered His Son so the we can be restored to the family – the family of God. We are all adopted sons and daughters through the blood of our Saviour. What a gift! What a Saviour!
Lord, help me to put that love in all my relationshjps this day.
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!