January 10: Accepting His Love.
HIS FAMILY.
"For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."--Matthew 12:50
I thank God for the parents He chose for me. When I sit in front of their tombstone, my heart is filled with gratitude for their godly lives. When my parents retired, they came to live in the same state where I reside. After my mother passed away, my father spoke with me about the future, knowing that his well-being would be so important to me. I had been working in ministerial capacities for almost fifteen years, and he said to me that if I were asked to minister in another state and felt it was a call from God, I should go even if that meant leaving him behind in California. I never had to cross that bridge, yet I was so blessed to have parents who placed the priorities of the kingdom of God above themselves.
As Jesus was ministering, His family came to talk with Him. Mark gives us an inside look at their motive: "When His own people [kinsmen, family] heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, 'He had lost His senses' " (Mark 3:21). Jesus didn't have brothers and sisters who fully understood His mission, at least not at first. Some members of His family did later become influential leaders of the Christian community. When His mother and siblings arrived where He was speaking, "Someone said to Him, 'Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.' But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, 'Who is My mother and who are My brothers?' " (Matthew 12:47, 48). What a strange question, especially since His family was standing outside! Jesus was not renouncing His family; He was stating His priorities. Jesus stretched out His hand towards the disciples and went on to explain that those who do the will of His Father are His true family (verses 49, 50). Even the closest of human relationships wouldn't take priority over the kingdom's mission. If you have relatives who do not understand your calling and purpose, be encouraged because when you become a follower of Jesus, you also become part of His family on earth. You have brothers and sisters, and His Father is your Father.
My Response:______________________________________________
HIS FAMILY.
"For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."--Matthew 12:50
I thank God for the parents He chose for me. When I sit in front of their tombstone, my heart is filled with gratitude for their godly lives. When my parents retired, they came to live in the same state where I reside. After my mother passed away, my father spoke with me about the future, knowing that his well-being would be so important to me. I had been working in ministerial capacities for almost fifteen years, and he said to me that if I were asked to minister in another state and felt it was a call from God, I should go even if that meant leaving him behind in California. I never had to cross that bridge, yet I was so blessed to have parents who placed the priorities of the kingdom of God above themselves.
As Jesus was ministering, His family came to talk with Him. Mark gives us an inside look at their motive: "When His own people [kinsmen, family] heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, 'He had lost His senses' " (Mark 3:21). Jesus didn't have brothers and sisters who fully understood His mission, at least not at first. Some members of His family did later become influential leaders of the Christian community. When His mother and siblings arrived where He was speaking, "Someone said to Him, 'Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.' But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, 'Who is My mother and who are My brothers?' " (Matthew 12:47, 48). What a strange question, especially since His family was standing outside! Jesus was not renouncing His family; He was stating His priorities. Jesus stretched out His hand towards the disciples and went on to explain that those who do the will of His Father are His true family (verses 49, 50). Even the closest of human relationships wouldn't take priority over the kingdom's mission. If you have relatives who do not understand your calling and purpose, be encouraged because when you become a follower of Jesus, you also become part of His family on earth. You have brothers and sisters, and His Father is your Father.
My Response:______________________________________________
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