Today’s Reading: Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21

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

For a relationship to be unique, it has to be one of a kind, unlike anything else. It has to be distinctive and special. Some sibling relationships are so tight knit that it is hard to fully understand the dynamics between the individuals. They have their own way of communicating with each other, and they are known by their brothers or sisters in a way that no one else knows them.

But what Jesus communicated is that any of us can have that kind of special relationship with him. Jesus’ intent was most likely not to disregard his family or disrespect his mother, but to make it known to those around him that he had the capacity to love them in the same way that he loved his earthly family.

He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” – Luke 8:21

WE CAN BE A FAMILY.

Whoever does the will of God is now in a sibling relationship with Christ Jesus. We are now known by him as brother and sister and mother. When we hear the word of God and then let it impact our way of thinking and our actions, we enter into a familial relationship with Jesus. When we receive what God is saying and put His words into practice, we become family. We know Him and He knows us.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” – Matthew 7:21-23

When we live in relationship with Jesus and respond in obedience to the life God is calling us to, we have the promise of entering into the kingdom of heaven. On that day, we will be greeted as family and recognized by the fruit of our lives as we enter through the narrow gate.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” – Matthew 7:13-20

So let’s live this life in confidence that we are loved by the God to whom we daily give our lives. When we live out our relationship with Jesus, we produce fruit. When we hear the words of God and then put them into practice, we are like a wise man who built his house upon a rock. Let the rains come down and the streams rise; let the winds blow and beat against the house. Our foundation is firmly built upon the rock of our salvation — our Savior, our Lord and our brother.