Redefining Family

“Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him. ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.’ He replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.’” Luke 8:19-21

I love God’s timing as He determines from which passage I will be inspired each day. This is very appropriate as we just celebrated Father’s Day yesterday. When I first read this my ‘mother heart’ was hurt for the thought of Mary being relegated to the same position as many other people. I searched my commentary to see what on earth Jesus meant by this and was completely blessed by the motivation of His heart. “The answer of the Lord was that real relationship with Him does not depend on natural ties, but on obedience to the word of God. No crowd can prevent His spiritual family from having audience with him.” Believer’s Bible Comm. “Jesus was not rejecting as much as redefining His family. His statement reflected inclusion more than exclusion.” Beth Moore, “Jesus – The One and Only.”

As parents, we love to think that only we can give our children that perfect recipe of love, encouragement, discipline and nurturing. There are many people who want fellowship with family but are excluded based on the will of the other. Christ brings good news regarding fellowship with Him. He will always be available, approachable and attainable through our pursuit of His word. Many people lack a positive experience with a parent and are left on the outside looking in much like Jesus’ family. Feelings of abandonment and neglect crowd the thoughts and feelings only to distort relationship and fellowship. Through Christ, He shows us the importance of fellowship with Him and all that He provides. He reprioritizes what relationships should guide our lives. He heals and mends the wounded and injured giving them a new prospective of family – His family. A family that always seeks, loves, and passionately pursues. His invitation is for all and He will not rest until He has offered a place in the spiritual Family. He will only invite...He will not force.

Our family knows first hand the pain of a child with a broken relationship with a biological parent. God has healed her and redefined her family and she now knows the complete and absolute truth of who her fathers are – both earthly and spiritually speaking.

Father, show yourself as the Father who loves, comforts and resurrects the heart of the abandoned. Fill that empty place in their hearts and make them complete in You. In your complete and perfect love, Amen.