Refreshing Reminder!

Matthew 12:46-50

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to 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.”

As I read this passage the other day it gave me a fresh reminder of who I am in Christ. Jesus knew that His disciples were not perfect men. He knew their past sins and He knew their future sins. Yet, He still called them His mother and brothers because they were doing the will of His Father in Heaven. It amazes me that such a powerful and awesome God wants me, a sinner, to seek Him and His will. How He gives me an opportunity to participate in the will of the Most High God! And on top of all those wonderful and amazing things, I know from this passage that when I do the will of His Heavenly Father, Jesus calls me His sister!

As I pondered what it meant to be called a sister, I thought about how I feel toward my sisters. I love my sisters. There is nothing I wouldn't do for them. I pray for them. I hope they are well. I enjoy spending time with them. If I could I would ease their pain, take away their suffering and give them everything they need. If I as a flawed human being feel this way toward my sisters, how much more then does the perfect Son of God, Jesus Christ, feel these things toward those He calls His mothers, brothers and sisters. While I love my sisters, He is love. (1 John 4:8) While there is nothing I wouldn't do for them, there is nothing I can do apart from Him. (John 15:5) While I pray for them, He sits at the right hand of His Heavenly Father and makes intercession for me. (Romans 8:34) While I hope for them, He is our hope. (1 Tim. 1:1) While I enjoy spending time with them, He wants to spend eternity with me. (Romans 6:23 ) While I wish I could ease all pain, take away their suffering and give them everything they need, He can and will one day if they put their trust in Him! (Rev. 21:4, Matt. 6:31-33) I long to do and be these things for my sisters but I am not able in my human strengths. I need these things myself everyday! Jesus, on the other hand, is capable and willing to always do and be these things for us. Now I have a fresh reminder of what it means to be a sister. It puts joy in heart to know that I am a sister of the only person in history capable and willing to perfectly do and be all these things for me, Jesus Christ!

If you have not put your trust in Jesus Christ and therefore can not be called a sister, brother or mother of Christ, please do so now! He longs be and do all these things I've talked about for you too. You can find joy in this life through Christ! Ask Him now to forgive you from your sins and invite Him into your life! He loves you so much!