God’s family
“Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.” (Hebrews 2:11b)
Family.
What thoughts or images does that word bring to your mind? Positive or negative? While family is something very special and positive for many people, we need to understand that for many others family is not such a happy or encouraging place. Maybe you’ve heard those who comment “You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family.”
Our Bible verse for this week is about a family that extremely special and a great blessing – God’s family.
Stop for a moment and ponder the thoughts of our verse for this week. Not only are we Jesus’ brothers and sisters, but more than that he is not ashamed to claim us as his brothers and sisters – his family – God’s family.
First of all we need to remember what allows us to even be a part of God’s family. While we don’t at all deserve to be a part of God’s family because of our sin, because of the unselfish actions of our brother, Jesus, we are fully included in God’s family.
Next we need to think about what brought us into this special family – for many of us that was in our baptism where God, our Father, adopted us as his dearly loved children.
While many earthly families have struggles, splits, feuds and other challenges, being part of God’s family brings unbelievable and unimagined blessings. The ultimate one of those blessings is knowing that we have a perfect home waiting for us in heaven. But there are many others blessings along the way.
We are blessed to be encouraged and supported by our brothers and sisters in faith. How special is it to know that when our earthly family fails us or is no longer around, we know that we still have a family who loves us and cares for us.
There is one disclaimer which needs to be remembered. While Jesus, our brother is perfect, that doesn’t mean that everything is always perfect with those who are a part of God’s family on earth. I have seen Christians become very easily disillusioned and frustrated because everything is not perfect with God’s family on earth. When we encounter that we need to remember and practice another one of the blessings of being a part of the family of God – the joy and peace of forgiveness – both being able to give it and also to receive it.
Whether or not you have a great family here on earth, rejoice that you are indeed a special part of a great family – God’s family. Treasure that family! Rejoice in being a part of that family. Enjoy the blessings you have because you are God’s child, Jesus’ brother and brother or sister with all your fellow Christians!