Redefining Family

SCRIPTURE
Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked.Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 3:31-35)

OBSERVATION
I notice, in this scene, that Jesus redefines His family makeup. He broadens the definition of His family from blood by birth to those who "follow" Him. Those who have been adopted, if you will, into the family of God, because of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. That's where the saying "You are my brother/sister from another mother" comes. Once I became a follower of Jesus, I was adopted into that same family. My family expanded.

APPLICATION
I know a lot of people who grew up in very dysfunctional families. They still are deeply affected and influenced by those same messed up families. Some of those friends of mine are Jesus followers. They are now apart of a much more healthy family that loves, forgives and serves each other. This new family is characterized by joy, generosity, patience, grace, hope and peace. When your own flesh and blood family turns on you, hurts you, abandons you...start a new family. Join the family of God. Not that the family of God is filled with perfect people...just people who've experienced grace and love and therefore able to offer grace and love.

PRAYER
Father, I am grateful to be a vital member of Your family. I am grateful for my brothers and sisters. I ask that You embed a healthy family dynamic into the fabric of our church. A grace-filled, joy-filled, loving dynamic that's contagious and captivating. In Jesus name, amen.