NKJV, Luke 8:19-21- “19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press v20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee v21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”
CEV, Luke 8:19-21- “19 Jesus’ mother and brothers went to see him, but because of the crowd they could not get near him. v20 Someone told Jesus, Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you v21 Jesus answered, “My mother and my brothers are those people who hear and obey God’s message.”
Today, our Heavenly Father wants to talk to us about His Special Family. Though we all belong to biological families, there is a glorious opportunity to belong to God’s Kingdom Family.
On an occasion, Jesus was preaching to the crowd. After He had preached on the Parable of the Sower, He received a message that His mother and brothers wanted to see Him. We want to take a closer look at the answer Jesus gave to them: “My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it”.
Sincerely speaking, I wouldn’t take it lightly at all if my own son or blood brother gave me such an answer, especially in front of the crowd. However, Jesus’ response was not to disrespect His biological family but to use the opportunity provided to throw light on a better family .i.e. God’s Kingdom Family. His point was: being a child or member of God’s Family is not just a preserve of few biological relatives.
This answer may not offend His mother and brothers alone, but also the Pharisees and Jews who boast of being children of Abraham and thus children of God. In other words, the fact that someone is biologically related to a servant of God, does not make that person an automatic member of God’s family. Also, hearing God’s Word does not make one God’s child. It is only those who hear God’s Word and go ahead to do it.
Precious one, on daily basis God’s Family receives new members. As many as commit themselves to desire the Word and do it, they are counted as brothers and sisters of God’s Family. Very soon, Jesus will descend and rapture His Family so that where He is, we will be also. Those left behind will be left to the fate of a collapsed world.
I want to admonish us all today. It is wise for us to assess ourselves from time to time, to find out whether or not we are still part of the Family. God knows we are not yet perfect but at least He wants to see us genuinely striving to walk in His Word. Jesus is not asking us to neglect our biological families, but rather to use every opportunity to introduce them into God’s Family. Please check your status: Are you also part of the Family?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity for a me to also be part of Your Family. Please grant me the Grace to heed to Your Word and obey it. Let Your Word direct my path in every aspect of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Question for Meditation
Am I really a part of God’s family?
