While Jesus was still talking to the crowd…someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus loved His physical family.
No doubt. Even during His agony on the cross, His thoughts focused on the care and welfare of His mother. He asked John to take her home with him.
As wonderful and permanent as family seems to be, a time comes when physical kinship is interrupted. Death comes.
Jesus’ death severed His family ties too. Yet, His death created the possibility of a more enduring spiritual family! One encompassing more than blood relatives! Open to everyone!
This more permanent family is what Jesus is talking about here. It is God’s forever family, because it continues for all eternity. Our relation to Jesus never ends!
So, how do we get related to Jesus?
The Teacher says this family circle is reserved for whoever does the will of my Father in heaven. According to Matthew, Jesus pointed to His disciples – His spiritual relatives - as He spoke about this.
If being a member of God’s Forever Family is our goal, then becoming a good student of the Teacher must be our primary objective. Because following Him leads home!
It is a true blessing when physical family is also part of the spiritual family.
ReplyDeleteIt is also sometimes hard for physical family to understand the importance of the spiritual family.
I have been grtealy blessed that most of my physical family is also part of the sspiritual family. I am also gretaly blessed to know so many spiritual family members! What a blessing it is to have the Spiritual family - an eternal family - that while on earth is to encourage one another ... to "do the will of the Father in Heaven"
Thanks to all my spiritual family that encourages me so much!
Thank you, Denny, for this website - which is another way to encourage one another.
And thank God for our Spiritual Family!
Kevin, I appreciate your daily
ReplyDeletereading and comment. It is an
encouragement to me to continue
this little blog.
Glad I can return the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteAs well, we have shared the blog address with folks in England, all over Alaska, as well as other states. Many here have said they enjoy reading but don't comment. So although the discussion isn't as much as maybe we'd like, it is encouraging others as well.
Keep up the good work!