It's A Family Thing

It's a Family Thing Some of us so fortunate to lead blessed lives, living with loving, supportive families. It's wonderful to see husbands and wives truly loving each other. It's wonderful to see parents and children always supporting one another. In this "modern" 21st century world in which we all live, such families are becoming more and more rare. Children suffering from parents who don't love each other, or don't care for them. But there is a family where love and support is available to everyone. Where the relationships last an eternity. We are reminded of this wonderful family in our reading this week (Mark 3:20-35) Sometimes we forget that Jesus earthly ministry included relationships with his physical family. It included His mother Mary. It included his step-father Joseph. It included his brothers James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. It included his sisters too. (Mark 6:3). Jesus family extended far beyond his physical family. It includes His father (God). It includes those wo do His father's will; his disciples (Mark 3:34-35). The family if Jesus includes His spiritual family. This spiritual family is full of blessings. God as our Father, who years our prayers, who provides our basic needs, who forgives us our sins, who delivers us from evil. Jesus, our brother, who is proud to call us brethren, who was made like His brethren, who eternally lives to intercede for us. And the Holy Spirit, who is our helper and strength; who also intercedes for us; who enables us to live the Christian life; who allows us to have immense love in our hearts for God. Jesus family is immense, indeed the whole family includes heaven and earth. It includes every Christian living, and dead. It's eternal: physical family ties are disrupted at death; yet the spiritual family looks forward to an eternal inheritance. Jesus family is the only one that will endure through eternity. The true family of Jesus is great! An everlasting family. It is made possible by the wonderful love of God. It is the result of God's wonderful plan of redemption in Jesus Christ. The true family of Jesus is available to us all. It's available to all who are willing to receive Him through faith and baptism; to those who are born again of water and Spirit; through the obedience to the will of God. Do you consider yourself a member in Jesus family? Would you like to join the ever growing family members that will enjoy eternal life in heaven along His side? If so, I encourage you pray the following prayer. Remember though, it's not the prayer itself, but the faith in your heart that matters. Let the following prayer be a simple expression of the faith that is in your heart: Dear Jesus: I want to have a relationship with you. I know I can't save myself, because I know I'm a sinner. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I believe you died for me, and I receive your free gift of salvation. I surrender my life to you and trust you for forgiveness. Help me follow you all of my life. Thank you, Jesus. Amen. Going deeper: Genesis 3:8-15 Psalm 130 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35