Description
The Family of Jesus
This happened years ago, but I still remember it. It was one of those rare occasions when the whole family was together for an evening meal. I looked around at all of them as they were eating and talking heartily. Meals were not quiet experiences at our table when they all got together. I remember, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for all of them. I considered them a God-given gift and one of life’s truest sources of joy.
After the meal was over the family stayed and kept going. We talked, joked, and laughed until our sides hurt. I remember feeling such a deep joy and bond with them.
I feel for my family, like I have never felt for anyone. They are my closest and dearest friends. It doesn’t mean that we don’t fight and hurt each other, we have, we do, and we will, but there is a bond there that has weathered all of that and is stronger than ordinary friendship.
It is a truth that friends come and go, but family is forever in the Lord. I see now why the family is so important with God. When family members choose to endure in love for one another it is the way of God Himself. It is what He does.
During the Savior’s second Galilean ministry, He was teaching in a synagogue and a considerable crowd had gathered to hear Him. One came to Him and informed Him that His mother and brothers were outside wanting to see Him.
“Who is my mother, or who are my brethren?” He said.
He then stretched His hand toward His disciples and said, “Behold my mother and brethren…and whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven the same is my brother, sister and mother.”
Jesus then charged His disciples to see to the needs of His Mother. He would not neglect her, but in this case, it was not the family of Mary that came first, but the family of God the Father.
This is how He feels about us. When we obediently enter a covenant relationship with the Savior, we bind ourselves to Him as family in every worthy and joy-laden sense of the word.
An enduring and unique bond is forged that binds Him to us, now and forever. And once our lives are faithfully concluded, Jesus doesn’t just want us in heaven. He wants us with Him to be where He is, as His neighbor, friend, family.
Can you imagine that coming day when we will sit down to dine with Him with our own families…what sweet family communion that will be? But we must choose it. It cannot be imposed on us.
Sources:
JST Mark 3:33
Matthew 12:49-50
JST Matthew 12:50 note especially the JST changes in the verse.
John 17:24
Mark 14:25
