The Word This Week
Luke 8:19…
Obedience to the Word of God is the new definition of ‘family’ in the Body of Christ.
Many of you have experienced this already.
In your desire for fellowship with Jesus, you have discovered the necessity of abiding with Him through the application of His Word in every phase of your life. You have found the fundamental principle of what it means to abide is obedience to God’s Word.
Not everyone you know is down with that. Sometimes that includes family. It certainly includes friends.
As Jesus’ mother and Mary and His brothers attempt an audience with Jesus, they find His crowds too overwhelming to gain entry. It is His very popularity they have come to warn Him about. Standing outside, they send a message to Jesus about their being there and desiring to meet with Him.
It seems they haven’t seen Jesus since He launched out into His ministry. We know His mother Mary knows Who He is, but the Bible tells us at this time His brothers did not believe Him to be Messiah. What caused their unbelief we do not know - but again - this is probably something each of us has experienced with unbelieving siblings.
Their concern for Jesus is evident. How can He possibly have enough energy to continue His ministry at this pace? Would He drive Himself crazy continuing to serve these overwhelming crowds which would seem an impossibility for any human? Is Jesus in need of rescue by those who love Him?
Jesus’ answer is not meant to be off-putting to His family, but informative for all of us who follow Jesus by obeying God’s Word. We ARE family when we obey what He says. Our family is our family when they obey what Jesus says. Our friends are our family when they obey what Jesus says.
This does not mean our family is no longer our family when they do not obey Jesus, and the same for our friends. But it does mean those who do obey what Jesus says may also become our family and our friends, and they may become closer to us than mere genetics or friendship experiences can ever provide.
Pastor Bill
Obedience to the Word of God is the new definition of ‘family’ in the Body of Christ.
Many of you have experienced this already.
In your desire for fellowship with Jesus, you have discovered the necessity of abiding with Him through the application of His Word in every phase of your life. You have found the fundamental principle of what it means to abide is obedience to God’s Word.
Not everyone you know is down with that. Sometimes that includes family. It certainly includes friends.
As Jesus’ mother and Mary and His brothers attempt an audience with Jesus, they find His crowds too overwhelming to gain entry. It is His very popularity they have come to warn Him about. Standing outside, they send a message to Jesus about their being there and desiring to meet with Him.
It seems they haven’t seen Jesus since He launched out into His ministry. We know His mother Mary knows Who He is, but the Bible tells us at this time His brothers did not believe Him to be Messiah. What caused their unbelief we do not know - but again - this is probably something each of us has experienced with unbelieving siblings.
Their concern for Jesus is evident. How can He possibly have enough energy to continue His ministry at this pace? Would He drive Himself crazy continuing to serve these overwhelming crowds which would seem an impossibility for any human? Is Jesus in need of rescue by those who love Him?
Jesus’ answer is not meant to be off-putting to His family, but informative for all of us who follow Jesus by obeying God’s Word. We ARE family when we obey what He says. Our family is our family when they obey what Jesus says. Our friends are our family when they obey what Jesus says.
This does not mean our family is no longer our family when they do not obey Jesus, and the same for our friends. But it does mean those who do obey what Jesus says may also become our family and our friends, and they may become closer to us than mere genetics or friendship experiences can ever provide.
Pastor Bill