We Seek Him 5

Mark 3:31-35

During that stretch of years when the relatives in my generation were all getting married, my cousins and I would often joke around by declaring to one another, “Hey, after this wedding we’ll be related!” Well, of course we would be related after the wedding. We were related before the wedding.

The joking aside, people joining together in marriage not only create their own small family, they become a link between two larger families. In a sense these separate families are united and a new family emerges.

Jesus himself made reference to a new type of family relation during his ministry. Who has come to visit Jesus? What question did Jesus pose? What does he say of those who do God’s will?

We are looking forward to this coming Sunday when two adults will be joining the church as new members. Joining the church is a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ and a public commitment to becoming part of the church family. As members of a church family we have a shared claim on Jesus as our Savior, as well as a shared sense of caring for one another.

When we seek Jesus to have an encounter with him and enter into this relationship of faith, we are becoming part of a much larger group of people. We are becoming part of all those who have accepted Jesus. We are becoming part of all those who have believed and served the Lord in all the world.

As we seek Jesus and find him, we are changed. We are no longer alone, but united with the faithful across space and time. But there are some requirements that are expected of us. Just as joining the church is a declaration of the faithful behavior we will exhibit, declaring your belief in Christ is a commitment to doing the good work of God.

To be a brother or sister to Jesus we must not only seek him, we must do God’s will. And what is God’s will? In John 6:40 Jesus says, “my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life.” For us to do the will of God means that we will take part in helping others seek Jesus to have that relationship with him.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What do you do that makes you a brother or sister to Jesus?

Fan or Follower 5

Mark 3:31-35

Over the holidays our small family gathers with members of our extended family, many of whom we see only a few times a year. Our children get to see their cousins, some of whom are about the same age and others who are older with children of their own. This usually results in the need to explain how we are all related – who is a cousin, who is a second cousin, who is a cousin once removed, and so on.

The terminology isn’t all that important. What is important is for all of us to know that we are a family, all connected in some way.

The same is true of our family of faith, our church family. There is a wide variety of ages and personalities, but we are all part of a family of believers, worshipers who gather to serve the kingdom of God.

We have been examining the family of Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah, a family of faith who lived out their faith in God. On Sunday we sang the song “The Family of God.” In that song we are reminded that we are part of a large family – not just the parents, brothers, sisters and cousins of our kinfolk. We are part of a much larger family of faith – all who believe and work for God.

In his ministry Jesus was visited by his mother and brothers. What did the crowd tell Jesus? What was Jesus’ response? Who are the brothers of Christ?

Being part of a family of faith, a much larger family than our blood relatives, involves sharing more than just a name or title. We can call ourselves “Christians,” telling the world that we are a fan of God and that we believe in Jesus. But to be a brother or sister in Christ requires that we show the love of God to those around us.

To be part of the family of God means more than simply gathering in God’s name. It means sharing what we have. It means offering sacrifices to benefit the needy and to give honor to God. As Jesus said, “Whoever does God’s will” are the ones who are the brothers and sisters of Christ. Doing the work of God is what it takes to be part of the family of God.

Are you a fan or a follower? Do you just believe in God? Are you a fan? Or are you a follower of God? Are you willing to do the work of God, loving others sacrificially, praising God through good works, and living by faith?

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to be a brother or sister of Christ?