Jesus said: “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:50
TOPIC: Jesus called us his brothers and sisters.
BACKGROUND: It is impossible to imagine what it was like growing up in the same household as Jesus. Cross reference Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21.
Did Jesus have an earthly family? We know he was the Son of God, and we know Mary and Joseph were his earthly mother and father. We are also given very clear hints of his siblings. Matthew 13:55,56 tells us, “Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us?” So we gather Jesus had at least four brothers and some sisters. Sadly they did not believe their brother to be their Savior until after Jesus’ resurrection. We do know that James and Jude (Judas) were two writers in the New Testament.
It was while Jesus was in a home speaking to a crowd that he received word that his family was waiting to see him. “Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you’” (Matthew 12:47). The timing was perfect for another teachable moment. Jesus had just told the Pharisees that family ties to Abraham will not buy them salvation. Rather they needed to be part of a different family—Jesus’ family. He answered, “’‘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’” (12:48-50). God’s family exists solely of those who are subject to their loving Father and faithful believers in their loving brother, Jesus.
What joy that gives us! Just think, Jesus is our big brother who loves us with a familial love. God is our Father whom we can approach at any time with any problem. Hebrews 2:11 says it so beautifully, “Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.” What a family reunion we will enjoy in heaven!
PRAYER THOUGHT: by Charles Wesley
Jesus, my Savior, brother, friend,
On whom I cast my every care,
On whom for all things I depend,
Inspire, and then accept, my prayer. Amen.
PAUL WRITES ABOUT JESUS: “God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others.” Philippians 2:9 CEV
From At the Feet of Jesus by Reynold R. Kremer