January 17, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 12:46-50
OBSERVATIONS
I have a lot of people in my life that I would consider ‘friends’. But of all these ‘friends’, the ones that I feel the closest too are those that share my heart and hope and faith and vision. This is what Jesus is saying here; He is not disowning His family, but He is saying that the He has a special bond with anyone/everyone who shares His commitment to doing God’s will. Imagine that you are an avid coin collector, think about the special fellowship you experience when you meet with another coin collector, who shares your interest and understands your passion.
Jesus is passionate about loving and serving God, He considers it His “food and drink” to do the will of God, to fulfill God’s work (John 4:34). His kingdom message is that He is restoring a people who share this commitment. He is teaching people not just to believe everything He says, but to obey it (Matthew 28:18-20); these are the people that He is with always, to the very end. “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:14) Jesus loves all people, but He has a special bond with those who share His heart for God. They are His family, His people, His friends.
What do you notice in this passage?

APPLICATION
What is the driving passion of my life, would I as quickly and confidently say that my heart and desire is to do the will of God, and fulfill His mission for my life. “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. (John 4:34). My food, that is the things that sustains me, the thing that energizes me, is to do what God wants me to do. This is how I can experience a special fellowship with Jesus, how I can experience His nearness and strength, especially when I am being tested or tempted.
Yesterday we saw that an unoccupied heart is a vulnerable heart. Jesus wants us to occupy our hearts with Him, with His will, with God’s will, with God’s purpose.
I also connect this passage to my definition of church: any group (two are three or more) of people who are committed to Jesus and to His kingdom mission. His kingdom mission (the will and the work of God) is what drove Him, and His kingdom mission will drive His family, His followers.
“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. (John 4:34). I want to be able to say this, I want to experience that special bond with Jesus, to be His friend, His family.
Do you?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?

PRAYER
Lord, everyone belongs to Your family, but not everyone experiences the blessing of that bond. I want to be close to You in a real and personal way, not just in a technical way. I want to love what You love, do what You do, live like You live.