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Day 30 Matthew 12:46 Matthew 12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? And who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Who are you? What is your title? Are you a mother, father, brother, sister, wife, husband, friend? Jesus not only had a mother, Mary, but he also had siblings. They went to speak to him, no one knows what they wanted to speak to him about, but they were there, and the people told Jesus they were there, and his reply might seem shocking, because it seems like he doesn’t acknowledge his mother and siblings. Jesus did something unique, he acknowledged the crowd around him as his mother and brethren on one condition, that they did the will of his Father in heaven. Did he disavow his mother and brethren? No. By including the people around him, as his mother and brethren, he was saying we are all one with him. As Christians, you often call each other sister or brother, acknowledging your position in Jesus Christ as part of the family of God. Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Jesus included you as part of his family, IF you do the will of his Father in heaven. His mother and brethren came to speak to him. Do you speak with Jesus often? Do you petition him with your wants and desires, or do you talk to him as a friend and brother, someone you can talk to about anything and everything? That’s what Jesus wants from us, to treat him as a brother, friend, someone we can rely on to keep our most personal secrets. He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother, and yet he is our brother. Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. When you come to Jesus, spend time with him, talk to him, show him you can be trusted as a friend and brother or sister. Show him you are part of his family. Reach out as he reached out to the people. Show compassion, as he showed compassion. Be ready to forgive, as he forgave. Always be ready to do the will of your Father in heaven, and he will always be ready to give you what you want as well as what you desire. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (KJV) God first and his kingdom, and then Jesus will see to your needs and desires. Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. Do you see the pattern in the above verses? Trust, delight, commit, rest, and cease. When you do, you will inherit the earth, he will give you the desires of your heart, and you will feel the love of family. Are you part of the family of Jesus Christ? Let’s pray: Father, thank you for making me part of your family. Help me to seek you first, spend time with you, wanting what you want, and not what I want, that my joy will be full. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 19 May 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay