PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 12:46-50
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Whoever does the will of my Father is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)
At what point did Adam and Eve’s family stop being related?
Aren’t we all still related, especially through our common connection to God?
The idea of ‘image-bearer’ conveyed a family connection (see Genesis 5:1-3).
Family identity is received from the parents, and shared through the family tree.
To be “like God” is to live and love like God, i.e. to do the Father’s will.
Jesus is not denying His actual mother and siblings; He is saying that His family is bigger.
Do we have a narrow or broad view of family?
We shouldn’t neglect our actual family; neither should we neglect our broader family.
If that ‘panhandler’ or troubled teen were my son or daughter, would I do more?
Or asked another way, if that needy person were Jesus, would you help them?
“Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25:45)
Jesus is looking for His family (His followers) to live and love like Him.
Jesus did not come just for you and your family, but for God’s family.
Will I join my Father in doing what I can to help His family, my family?
PRAYER
Lord, to be recognized as part of your family I need to live and love like You. Help me to see others as my brothers and sisters, and do what I can to help when I can.
To be in the family of God – nothing means more – even parents and siblings! When we don’t share a common faith – there is respect but no true common unity! I want so much for my children and grandchildren to be rooted in the same faith! Then we truly are family!
Thank you Jesus for making a way for me into Your family. Thank you for teaching us what doing the will of your Father in heaven looks like and how we should live as heirs.
Family.
A place of safety and loving relationships – it should be. No place like home with those you love.
My family is just a part of God’s family, a much larger family where we share the love of God. In my family the support and strength and love and compassion, faithfulness can be broken at times but not in God’s family. His love remains forever. My family, I, must be rooted in His love.
Praise Him!
Praise Him in the morning,
Praise Him in the noontime.
Praise Him!
Praise Him!
Praise Him when the sun goes down!
Love Him!
Love Him in the morning,
Love Him in the noontime.
Love Him!
Love Him!
Love Him when the sun goes down!
Serve Him!
Serve Him in the morning,
Serve Him in the noontime.
Serve Him!
Serve Him!
Serve Him when the sun goes down!