My Brother's Keeper

Who Is My Brother?

There is a theme of family written across the entire Bible with specific roles prescribed throughout. Starting from the very beginning, it’s as if God wanted to use these intimate relationships to describe what we mean to one another instead of lofty “church speak”.

This is remarkably practical because we know what a brother and a sister is. We know what a father and mother is. In our world, the roles and offices of spiritual organization take many shapes. The family concept (even if not it’s societal implementation), however, remains constant.

How many “forms” does a pastor take?

The College Professor

The Motivational Speaker

The Corporate Leader

The Cultural Linchpin

What is the “Correct Role” of someone pursuing deeper calling in Christ? Matt 23:1-8

Matthew 23:1–8 CSB

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them. 5 They do everything to be seen by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people. 8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.

Brother and Sister is upheld as the highest form of intimacy between individuals

Some in the 1st Century accused Christians of incest due to this terminology

Our goal is to reach a level of spiritual maturity where we look a lot less like life-coaches and a lot more like brothers and sisters.

Christ also sees us as Brothers and Sisters Matt 12:46-50

Matthew 12:46–50 CSB

46 While he was still speaking with the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48 He replied to the one who was speaking to him, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” 49 Stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Label of “brother” and “sister” /= a “lesser role”… it’s the pinnacle.

In our world, we are conditioned to think that manmade roles and titles are what give us status. However, as our Creator, the role of brother/sister is far more sacred. After all, it wasn’t created by man-made governments or churches; it was made by the divine.

Read Matt 23:1-8. We are conditioned to think of esteemed titles like “Doctor” or “Reverend” while titles like “brother” or “sister” seems more mundane. How does recognizing one another as family, rather that “Church coworkers” or “fellow church members” change how we interact with one another? How should it change the way we serve together? How does it drive us towards a more intimate environment than we see in many churches today? Jesus also referred to others in family terms. Read Matt 12:46-50. Jesus appears to use the “brothers” phrase as a way to elevate us to a higher role than we were before we knew Christ. How does this relationship with our Savior appear different than how many other religions appear to treat their gods? How does it appear different from how many Christians treat our God?

My Duty to My Brother

Once we recognize that we are each other’s brothers and sisters, we then have to ask “Well… what does that mean in practical terms?” What is your obligation to your brother and sister?

Brother/Sister Relationships

There’s a parent in the room - We aren’t children in “The Lord of the Flies” left to our own devices.

Any question, disagreement, or conflict is ultimately arbitrated in the presence of our Father who rules over all.

Sometimes things won’t go your way… doesn’t mean you “lost” and they “won”

More than acquaintances - The phrase “blood is thicker than water” comes to mind.

We often treat one another like coworkers or members in some civic club rather than with the intimacy siblings should have.

Especially true of ministry leaders -> Church members are not “resources” or employees with an expected job performance… we all know family members who are more put-together than others!

Not chosen; assigned - We don’t get to shop around for siblings, but the head-of-household keeps us all unified.

Connection Stronger Than Disagreement - We don’t walk away because of trivial disagreements. Even bigger disagreements aren’t a cause to severe a life-long relationship.

When Brother/Sisters Go Bad...

Cain Murdered Able (hot take: that was bad) Gen 4:1-10

Genesis 4:1–10 CSB

1 The man was intimate with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the Lord’s help.” 2 She also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent? 7 If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” 8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” 10 Then he said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!

Cain’s response “am I my brother’s guardian (keeper)?” -> Attempt to divorce himself from valuing the life of his brother

APPLICATION: How quick do we do the same? We easily separate ourselves from the wellbeing of others because “I’m not their guardian” or “they’re a big boy/girl and can make their own decisions”. These are ways we convince ourselves that we have no responsibility over the outcomes of others… but when harm comes through our action/inaction, “their blood cries out”.

Jacob Tricks Isaac and Steals Esau’s Blessing (after already taking his birthright) Gen 27:30-37

Genesis 27:30–37 CSB

30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob and Jacob had left the presence of his father Isaac, his brother Esau arrived from his hunting. 31 He had also made some delicious food and brought it to his father. He said to his father, “Let my father get up and eat some of his son’s game, so that you may bless me.” 32 But his father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” He answered, “I am Esau your firstborn son.” 33 Isaac began to tremble uncontrollably. “Who was it then,” he said, “who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it all before you came in, and I blessed him. Indeed, he will be blessed!” 34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he cried out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me too, my father!” 35 But he replied, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.” 36 So he said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice now. He took my birthright, and look, now he has taken my blessing.” Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?” 37 But Isaac answered Esau, “Look, I have made him a master over you, have given him all of his relatives as his servants, and have sustained him with grain and new wine. What then can I do for you, my son?”

Collateral Damage - Jacob’s rivalry with his brother caused pain to Isaac as well!

Took advantage of his brother’s weaknesses

Repeatedly sought the upper-hand (birthright AND blessing)

APPLICATION: When we know people intimately, we understand their weaknesses. That presents us with a choice: do we use this knowledge to build them up or to gain the upper hand? Do we push them to get better or do we keep this information to ourselves? If used incorrectly, we can do horrible wrong.

But when it goes “right”...

Obviously there wasn’t a ton of worldly redemption for Able, but Jacob was a different story. He had a transformation which led him to make hard decisions with his brother.

Jacob desires redemption with Esau, so he prepares a display of generosity and gifts Gen 33:1-3

Genesis 33:1–3 CSB

1 Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two slave women. 2 He put the slaves and their children first, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 He himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times until he approached his brother.

Note Jacob’s fear: splitting family into multiple groups, making grand displays of penitence (bowing)

Esau greets Jacob and 3-times turns down Jacob ‘earning’ forgiveness Gen 33:4-12

Genesis 33:4–12 CSB

4 But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept. 5 When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” He answered, “The children God has graciously given your servant.” 6 Then the slaves and their children approached him and bowed down. 7 Leah and her children also approached and bowed down, and then Joseph and Rachel approached and bowed down. 8 So Esau said, “What do you mean by this whole procession I met?” “To find favor with you, my lord,” he answered. 9 “I have enough, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what you have.” 10 But Jacob said, “No, please! If I have found favor with you, take this gift from me. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing God’s face, since you have accepted me. 11 Please take my present that was brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have everything I need.” So Jacob urged him until he accepted. 12 Then Esau said, “Let’s move on, and I’ll go ahead of you.”

APPLICATION: Esau’s forgiveness stands in stark contrast from his rage in Chapter 27.

Pro-active reconciliation: He moves to meeting with his brother in Chapter 32.

Focus on the good: In Verse 4-5 he immediately turned to the goodness of their reunion (children) instead of focusing on the past.

Disregard inequities: In Verse 8 is declined any honorifics or acts of penitence. In Verse 12 he declines gifts of atonement. In this chapter, Esau exhibits the acts of redemption we so often struggle

ESAU EXEMPLIFIED THE DUTY OF A BROTHER/SISTER: To look beyond the worldly to focus on relationship.

Redemption for a ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ is beautiful. Read Esau and Jacob’s reconciliation in Gen 33:1-12. In v4, Esau overlooks the past to focus on the present. In v 8, Esau declines Jacob’s apology gifts, showing he doesn’t care about ‘inequities’ of the past. How does Esau’s extreme acceptance of reconciliation differ from how we treat one another? How much more hesitant are we to reconcile and care for one another based on worldly things? If we consider all the reasons why we have a hard time overlooking differences, past offenses, or disagreements with our Christian brothers and sisters, how do we attempt to justify these things before God?

Cain asked God “am I my brother’s keeper?” This opened the doors for us distancing ourselves from one another. What we see in the restoration of Jacob and Esau is the opposite: two individuals overlooking the distances to see what really matters.

What matters to you in your relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ? Are you coworkers in ‘church work’ with normal co-worker gripes? Are you co-members in a civic group who you can exclude at will? Or, are you something more intimate which can overcome the world.

Christ looks at those who follow him… all of us… and calls us brothers and sisters. He desires for more than the pursuit of titles, offices, and honorifics… he wants his family to be united in Him. SO, I ASK YOU TODAY, WHEN YOU LOOK ACROSS YOUR CHURCH AT YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, DO YOU ONLY SEE COLLEAGUES AND CHURCH MEMBERS, OR DO YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT IS MEANT TO BE SO MUCH MORE?