Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on an important theme, namely that of Jesus’ family members: “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.” We read this in Mark 3.33. Indeed, the Lord clearly distinguishes those whom he considers as members of his family. For doing the will of God was and still is to listen to the Lord Jesus.
Let’s note that all that had just happened on the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, testified loudly that there was no possible relationship between God and man according to the flesh, although God surrounded him with all His care without law and under law, and that the trial ended with the presentation of Christ in grace. Then the mother and the brothers of Jesus send for him; but he uses this circumstance to declare in front of everyone that he does not recognize any relationship between himself and man in Adam, nor with his mother and his brothers, who represent the Jewish people from which he came in terms of his humanity. But, other links are formed by the action of the Word; for henceforth his mother and his brothers are those who do the will of God. This implies the new birth: indeed, one can only do the will of God by possessing divine nature, for in the flesh it’s impossible; in this state, man does not submit to the law of God; he cannot because the desires of the flesh are contrary to those of the Spirit.
Then the Savior clearly said that “Whosoever will do the will of God, this one is my brother, and my sister, and my mother.” For the Spirit of God uses these words to show us that it’s by actions that one can be recognized as a child of God. It’s therefore not enough to say that one believes, because what distinguishes a believer from a non-believer is the testimony he gives, a testimony which consists in obeying the word of God, since God expresses his will with each word because God wants fruit, because “Faith without works is dead”(James 2.26). Now, as the Eternal God has given the believer a life which can bear fruit, it’s natural that he should expect it.
That is why what characterizes us always better is obedience to the will of God during the little time we are left on earth. Furthermore, the Lord Jesus himself is our model; for by considering his life as a perfect servant, an obedient and devoted man, we can all imitate him and be pleasing to God. Then we will be recognized as those whom the Lord is not ashamed to call his brothers, his sisters and his mother.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and put together for your understanding.
- The Importance of Spiritual Relationships: The Family of God:
# Obedience enables the enjoyment of the family of God: Mat 12.50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
# The members of the family of God are joint heirs with Christ: Rom 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
# All barriers are broken down: Eph 2.19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
# The saints of the earth and of heavens are united in the family of God: Eph 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
# The brotherhood of God’s family members is recognized: Heb 2.11 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.
- The members of the family of God are called brothers: Mat 23.8 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.
Mat 25.40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Luk 8.21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” Jn 21.23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” Rm 8.29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Heb 2.11, 17 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. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people; Rev 12.10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down; Rev 19.10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”
- Christ’s brothers: Jn 2.12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days; Mat 12.46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him; Jn 7.3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do; 1 Co 9.5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas ? Ga 1.19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.
- Social duties: to regard all men as brothers:
# a common father: Pr 22.2 Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all; Mal 2.10 Do we not all have one Father ? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?;
# a spiritual kinship: Mark 3.34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!
# a relation of blood: Acts 17:26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
# prevent harsh judgments: Rom 14.13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
# requires self-sacrifice: 1 Co 8.13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
From all of the above, we note that the Lord Jesus clearly distinguishes those whom he considers to be members of his family. He declares in front of everyone that he does not recognize any relationship between himself and Adam, nor with his mother and his brothers, who represent the Jewish people from which he came in terms of his humanity. But, other links are formed by the action of the Word; for henceforth his mother and his brothers are those who do the will of the Lord Jesus. This implies the new birth because one can only do the will of God by possessing divine nature, which is impossible in the flesh. This is why what characterizes us best is obedience to the will of God at all times. Our prayers support you all in your efforts to possess the divine nature through the new birth and thus become fellow citizens of the saints, people of the house of God.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments if necessary, before sharing with you next week a particularity of the kingdom of God: “From the time of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forced, and it is the violent who seize it”.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.