Day 9 - Understanding Family, as Jesus Teaches Us About Family

Updated: Jan 13

Do you describe your family as Jesus teaches us? Who do you include in your family?

Scripture states this about Jesus' teaching on determining who our family is.

"And his mother and brothers came and were outside, and sent for him, requesting to see him. And a great number were seated round him; and they said to him, See, your mother and your brothers are outside looking for you. And he said in answer, Who are my mother and my brothers? And looking round at those who were seated about him, he said, See, my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's pleasure, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Mark 3.31-35 Bible in Basic English (BBE))

Consider all those you know and meet. Do you see them as family, as Jesus teaches us? Are they your brother or sister? Should you call them family? Can you treat them as your brother, sister, or mother? Will you

Pray for them when you meet and when you leave
Pray for them when you do not see their faces
Pray for and love them as your brother, sister, or mother.

Jesus indicates that you should show them more love than you reserve for your blood family. You could be providing them with their first occurrence of true God-based love. Consider the blessing you can give and take action to love wholly and generously. No act of Christian love is for nothing. It is always a light to someone that they need at that moment. Think of a time when someone offered you love, not necessarily romantic love. Instead, human love originated from them not having to demonstrate love. A time when you were unexpectedly shown kindness and compassion most beautifully. That is the example you can use to know how to show love to others. If you have not yet experienced this, imagine what it would be like and try anyway, and you will see and learn.

Prayer:

Gracious Holy Spirit, I thank you for your wisdom. Please help me see my brother, sister, and mother in the face of all I know and meet. Please grant me the words to offer them kind and wise words. Words that you know they need to hear and learn from. Words that lift their spirits and help them see God in this world. Words that will bring them closer to Jesus and fill their hearts and minds with certainty that there is a Savior and he was here for them. He is the one calling their name, not me. I am merely his spoken voice. The words are yours, our Fathers, and those of Jesus. I am a willing servant who desires to please you and do my part in this world. You humble me to be of your clan and to have the opportunity to love you wholeheartedly. Loving and wise Holy Spirit, I cry out with joy, knowing that you will hear my prayer and that you are constantly whispering in my ear to my heart. Amen.