PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 8:19-21
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
If anyone should be able to claim special ties to Jesus it was his family.
But being born into his family does not make you his family.
Being born into the church (as I was) does not make me a Christian.
Just because I am standing close to Jesus, does not mean I am close to him.
The religious leaders were close to Jesus, yet remained closed to him.
My guess is that this is true for many people who go to church.
My intent is not to be judgmental, but to make us church goers think.
Have we surrendered to his message of radical love (i.e. God’s Word)?
Are we loving those he loved, loving ALL God’s children?
Jesus does not just focus on hearing, but on doing (or practicing).
To experience the joy of God’s family life, it must be lived!
If I ignore, shun, exclude, or look down on other family members…
If I am jealous, greedy, arrogant, pushy… I ruin the family life.
God’s family love reaches out to ALL his children – will I join Him?
PRAYER
Lord, you have seen too much hurt and pain in your family. Help me to practice your family values, with ALL of your family!
People who I would say are close to me or have a ‘Kindred spirit’ with me are not necessarily my family – so I can resonate with what Jesus is saying. Just because I am biologically family doesn’t me I have that same family sense. I care for my brothers and sisters – and I am happy to say that I am close to them – but not all are what I would say kindred spirits and I don’t think they would say that of me. I feel a strong affinity for those who love the Lord as I do – even if they are different. It didn’t matter where I was living or what their race or culture is – I have affinity with them. One is a nominal Muslim whom I hope and pray may one day accept Jesus as more than just a prophet.
As someone with very strong family values and tradition – this is tough to swallow. Who are our brothers and sisters in Christ and where do we defer to in a moment of truth or dilemma. Lord help me remember that I am in your family, and I’m here to put God’s word into practise.
God’s family. His children. Kids of the kingdom. Adopted through His blood. Jesus followers. Hearing and doing His word. Believing in Him. Loyal to the Master makes us His children. Our relationship to Him determines how we share His love for Him and others. I need to be an instrument of that peace.
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today